ISTANBUL

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Ankara remains “completely opposed to any plan that aims to provoke civil war in Iran and fuel conflicts along ethnic or religious fault lines.”

Fidan made the remarks during a joint press conference following his meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in the capital Ankara.

Emphasizing that the ongoing war in the Middle East must end as soon as possible, Fidan said that Türkiye is making “intensive efforts” to bring the war to an end.

Fidan noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with many world leaders and was continuing to do so, adding that he himself is also engaged in intense diplomatic efforts.

He said that Türkiye is prepared for “any scenario” regarding the course of the war and its aftermath, adding Ankara is working “day and night to ensure the safety of Turkish citizens in the region.”

His remarks came as US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, launched Feb. 28, have killed about 1,300 people and injured

Tensions gripped the Middle East after Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 and have so far killed more than 1,300 people, including Ali Khamenei, the country's former supreme leader, and more than 150 schoolgirls. More than 10,000 people were also injured in the Israeli and US attacks.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets.