• Ties between Ankara and Riyadh have 'strategic significance for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our region as a whole'

• 'Türkiye is ready to shoulder responsibility in contributing to peace in Gaza, including the possibility of a military contribution'

• ‘Our benchmark is clear: a Syria that does not threaten its neighbors, denies safe haven to terrorist organizations...is essential for regional stability’

• Erdogan stresses continued coordination with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, international partners to help contain crisis in Sudan

ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday expressed Türkiye's readiness to mediate between Iran and the US to help reduce tensions, stressing Ankara’s rejection of any military action against Tehran.

“Türkiye is ready to assume a facilitating role between Iran and the United States in order to de-escalate tensions and help resolve issues through diplomatic means,” Erdogan said in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

The president underlined that Türkiye does not want the region to witness “a new war or a new wave of destruction.”

“We have openly and consistently expressed our opposition to any military intervention against Iran on every platform,” Erdogan said, urging all parties to avoid any steps that may cause escalation.

Establishment of regional security mechanisms

The Turkish president called for the establishment of regional security mechanisms “to prevent crises before they occur.”

"What our region needs is not new divisions, but a foundation for cooperation shaped by common wisdom and shared responsibility,” Erdogan said.

“Our aim is not to manage conflict but to jointly strengthen the diplomatic groundwork that will prevent it from arising in the first place,” Erdogan said, stressing the importance of establishing a regional security mechanism to prevent a crisis.

The Turkish leader stressed that Türkiye continues consultations with influential regional actors, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Ankara does not approach the issue via “the lens of bloc alignment or alliances,” he said.

Erdogan pointed out that past experiences have shown that scenarios imposed on the region in disregard for its history, identity, and realities have resulted in “pain and suffering,” citing conflicts in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia to ‘further consolidate foundations of our strategic partnership’

Turning to relations with Saudi Arabia, Erdogan said ties between Ankara and Riyadh have “strategic significance for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our region as a whole.”

“Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are two friendly countries with deep historical ties, strong state traditions, and a shared sense of regional responsibility,” the president noted.

He highlighted that relations between the two countries go beyond economic cooperation, describing them as a stabilizing partnership that strengthens consultation, coordination, and joint action.

President Erdogan said he believes there are significant opportunities in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, tourism, transport, and logistics, stressing that such potential “should not remain confined to paper.”

On defense cooperation, Erdogan said: “Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are two friendly countries with deep historical ties, strong state traditions, and a shared sense of regional responsibility.”

The president noted that steps such as joint production, technology transfer, and training “will not only strengthen the defense capacities of both countries, but also further consolidate the foundations of our strategic partnership.”

Syria’s future in Syrian people’s hands

On Syria, President Erdogan affirmed that Damascus has paid a “heavy cost” during years of war and division, adding that recent political and diplomatic developments indicate the possibility of “opening a new political horizon.”

He underlined the importance of societal reconciliation and a shared sense of belonging around the central government, noting that this applies to northeastern Syria, the south, the coast, and all parts of the country.

“Our benchmark is clear: a Syria that does not threaten its neighbors, denies safe haven to terrorist organizations, and embraces all segments of society on the basis of equal citizenship is essential for regional stability,” Erdogan said.

Türkiye believes that Syria’s future “will be shaped by the will of the Syrian people,” the president said.

“In this vein, alongside friendly and brotherly countries, foremost among them Saudi Arabia, we will continue to stand by every constructive step that strengthens Syria’s unity, integrity, and stability, both on the ground and at the negotiating table,” he said.

Peace in Gaza

On Gaza, Erdogan affirmed that discussions surrounding peacekeeping forces or international missions would be meaningful when they lead to concrete results on the ground.

Such mechanisms must focus on protecting civilians, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and contributing to a permanent and just peace, he said.

“Any discussion held without securing these fundamental points would miss the essence of the matter,” he added.

Erdogan also reiterated the need for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2803, noting that “confidence-building measures on the ground” are essential for lasting peace.

"Measures that do not serve peace on the ground have no real value, regardless of the labels attached to them,” the president said, emphasizing that Türkiye would assess any potential role based on clear conditions and practical outcomes.

“In this context, once the necessary conditions are in place, Türkiye is ready to shoulder responsibility in contributing to peace in Gaza, including the possibility of a military contribution,” he said.

“Let me repeat: reducing this matter to a debate over 'which country should or should not be involved' will not produce a solution. The solution lies in a peace architecture shaped by the right conditions, the right mandate, and the right objectives,” he said, slamming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks, rejecting the involvement of Türkiye and Qatar.

Crisis in Sudan

Addressing the situation in Sudan, Erdogan said that Sudanese people have been living in “devastating conditions” due to a civil war between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which entered its 1000th day recently.

“Unfortunately, our Sudanese brothers and sisters are entering yet another Ramadan amid conflict,” he noted.

Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is set to start later this month.

The president said Türkiye supports diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and restore stability, highlighting Ankara’s humanitarian assistance, including aid shipments, shelter support, the reopening of the office of the Turkish aid agency TIKA, and the resumption of flights to Port Sudan.

Erdogan underlined continued coordination with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and international partners to help contain the crisis and support the Sudanese people.

“Since 2024, nine aid vessels that we have dispatched have delivered a total of 12,600 tons of humanitarian aid and 30,000 tents to our Sudanese brothers and sisters,” he pointed out.

The Turkish president added that cooperation also continues in agriculture, mining, and energy.

“Türkiye is also conducting necessary assessments for the reconstruction of destroyed cities, foremost among them the capital, Khartoum.”

“We undoubtedly value the constructive efforts of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Egypt within the established mechanism, and, as Türkiye, we will stand by every step taken towards peace and prosperity and will do whatever is necessary in this regard,” he said, adding that Africa’s problems “should be solved by Africans.”

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland 'illegitimate, null and void'

On Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, President Erdogan said the move was “illegitimate, null and void.”

“The Netanyahu government, committing genocide in Gaza, and, after its attacks against Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, and Syria, now intends to destabilize the Horn of Africa.

“This is a major threat not only to the Horn of Africa but to the entire continent. Any step that fails to contribute to resolving the disputes in the region only exacerbates the crisis,” he warned.

Erdogan urged that decisions concerning Somalia’s future “should be made in a way that reflects the will of all Somali people.”