Foreign Minister Fidan: Israel is the primary culprit of this war

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a joint press conference with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Stating that the region and the world are going through extraordinary times, Minister Fidan said, "We are in Qatar today with our delegation to show our solidarity with Qatar during these extraordinary days. I would like to thank my dear brother, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, for the hospitality he has shown despite his busy schedule. He has always been a valuable friend. He is truly a great and valuable asset both for Qatar and for our region. He has taken part in so many mediation roles with such great humility to date that the public knows some of them, while others remain unknown. But he is truly someone who strives for both regional and global peace. I would like to congratulate him from the bottom of my heart once again."

"Turkey always stands with brotherly Qatar"

Pointing out that Qatar has once again been subjected to an attack during the mediation process, Fidan said, "They were subjected to an attack they did not deserve at all, and this attack is currently ongoing. First and foremost, I would like to convey the get-well wishes of the Turkish people and our President to our Qatari brothers. We condemn and reject attacks that disregard civilian lives and target civilian infrastructure. Such attacks can never be justified under any pretext. Turkey always stands with brotherly Qatar and will continue to do so," he said.

"Israel is the primary culprit of the war"

Expressing that the war threatens the security of all countries in the region and shakes their peace, Fidan said, "Within the framework of our solidarity with regional countries, as you know, we were in Riyadh yesterday. We went upon the invitation of Saudi Arabia. For the first time since the war began, we came together in this format. It was truly a necessary meeting. At the meeting, we reaffirmed in the strongest terms that we are in full solidarity with the brotherly countries that are the targets of the attacks. We also agreed in our consultations in Riyadh to make joint efforts towards the goals of stopping the attacks as soon as possible to ensure a ceasefire, preventing the spread of conflicts, and resolving the crisis through diplomatic methods. It must be clearly stated that Israel is, as you know, the primary culprit of this war that has dragged our region into an unprecedented crisis. These attacks, which began with Israel's provocations at a stage when diplomatic negotiations were ongoing and whose targets have expanded, have not only turned our region into a massive battlefield but have also shaken global stability. In this extremely sensitive conjuncture, we must also clearly remind Iran of its historical responsibility. Regardless of the justification, the attacks carried out by Iran against regional countries undermine the foundations of regional stability and are unacceptable. These serve neither Iran's interests nor the region's interests. Just as the attacks on Iran are wrong, Iran's attacks on regional countries without any justification are equally wrong. We always clearly express to our Iranian counterparts in our contacts at every level that these attacks and the escalation, which will lead to permanent fractures that are difficult to repair among regional countries, must be stopped immediately," he said.

Similarly, criticizing actions that threaten navigation and maritime security, Fidan said, "Our stance against this crisis is extremely clear. While we reject all kinds of actions targeting neighboring geographies, Israel, which feeds on instability in the region, should never be allowed to attempt to whitewash its own crimes and occupying policies behind this curtain of regional conflict."

"Israel's expansionism must be checked"

Stating that they agree with Qatar that it is essential to keep dialogue channels open for the establishment of peace and to address the concerns of the parties on the basis of negotiation, Foreign Minister Fidan said, "On the other hand, we point out that the war should not distract the international community from Palestine and the tragedy in Gaza. Israel is recklessly continuing its ceasefire violations, taking advantage of the chaos created. The situation on the ground remains dire. Since the date the ceasefire was established, nearly 700 of our Palestinian brothers have been martyred. New negative news comes from the West Bank every day. We also strongly condemn Israel's actions aimed at restricting access to holy sites, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in East Jerusalem and at changing the historical status quo. Israel has begun to implement the occupation and destruction policy it applied in Gaza in Lebanon as well. The international community must assume the necessary responsibility against these opportunistic policies of Israel, which are built on faits accomplis, and must put a stop to Israel's expansionism. The only key to real and sustainable security in the region is the establishment of a fair and honorable peace with the Palestinian people," he said.

"Turkey and Qatar are two brotherly countries that overcome difficult challenges with unwavering solidarity and demonstrate a common will"

Fidan said, "Our relations, which have reached an exceptional level under the visionary leadership of our President and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim, are progressing by strengthening in every field with the spirit of strategic partnership. Turkey and Qatar have always been two brotherly countries that overcome difficult challenges with unwavering solidarity and demonstrate a strong common will in this direction every time. We will continue to maintain this shoulder-to-shoulder stance, which we have displayed in every adversity to date, with the same determination in the coming period, God willing. We are in agreement on taking our relations even further, especially with new and concrete steps we will take in the field of defense industry. With these thoughts, I thank my dear brother once again and sincerely hope that our meetings and the Ramadan Feast will bring goodness to our entire region," he said.

"Turkey continues to do its best to stop the war"

Upon a question regarding what role Turkey can play in this process, Minister Fidan said, "As I have stated before, Turkey continues to do its best to stop this war. We, especially our President, are truly in search of how the war in the region can be stopped before it evolves into an even worse situation. As you know, our President had initiatives in this direction before the war started. I had the opportunity to make joint initiatives with my brother. But unfortunately, the war could not be prevented. Now we are in search of how we can prevent the war from getting worse, how we can stop it. We are talking to both the Americans and the Iranians. That is, we are trying to understand where they stand. We are in search of how we can prevent it from spreading further under current conditions. While our national contacts continue, we have intense exchanges of views with our brothers who are making efforts in this framework, especially Qatar," he said.

"There is nothing to justify Iran attacking regional countries"

Foreign Minister Fidan said, "First, we see this; not only in the region, but in Asia, Europe, in the north and south, almost the whole world wants the war to stop. At this point, there is a tremendous consensus, just like the recognition of the Palestinian state as a state. Now, how can we turn this consensus into action? We are in search of what steps can be taken under these current conditions. On the other hand, of course, while talking to Iran, we are trying to ensure that the war does not spread. Iran is being hit itself, but there is nothing to justify it attacking regional countries. It is further increasing the division here, spreading the war, and deepening the crisis. We are constantly giving the friendliest advice we can to Iran as a responsible state. Both for Iran's benefit and for the region's benefit. We will continue to work on this. Conditions are difficult right now, but as you know, the best solutions can show themselves under the most difficult conditions. Hopefully, it is up to us to continue working together with my brother," he expressed.

"The only agenda item is how to stop Iran's attacks on the region and what kind of measures should be taken"

In response to a question about the meeting held in Riyadh yesterday and his assessment of the course of the war, Foreign Minister Fidan replied, "The meeting that took place in Riyadh last night was a meeting held with a single agenda. We went there upon the invitation of Saudi Arabia. We were there as 12 countries. All regional countries directly or indirectly affected by the war were around the table. Of course, the agenda, the only agenda item, was about how to stop Iran's attacks on the region and what kind of measures should be taken. Countries that are directly and intensely exposed to the attack in the region held a meeting to seek advice from brotherly countries like us. It lasted a long time. We were in search of a common mind. Everyone revealed the urgency of the situation. Since the attacks carried out did not happen to us with such intensity, we do not have the opportunity to feel it closely. But as we listen to our counterparts, the issue of hundreds of drones and missiles being sent at the same time and normal life becoming unsustainable is now pushing these states to take permanent measures. Those were discussed. Of course, the reflection in the final declaration was also related to the issues around the single agenda item."

"One wrong should not lead to another wrong"

Stating that he spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar before the meeting last night and that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called during the meeting, Fidan said, "We also spoke with him. There was even a dialogue like this: 'You are calling us now, and missiles are coming from above.' Missiles were just hit in Riyadh. 'At least don't send missiles to Riyadh when the meeting is being held.' Now, of course, they also want their own diplomatic positions to be taken into account in certain environments. We listened to them. We gave the necessary answers. You know where we stand at all times. That is, we do not find the attack on them justified, but we also do not find the attacks they carry out on regional countries justified. One wrong should not lead to another wrong. Iran should not have chosen the path of spreading the conflict in this way here. Our work on this issue will continue," he said.