Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan: No Serious Initiative to Resume Iran-US Talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated there is currently no serious initiative to resume direct talks between Iran and the United States, though Tehran may be open to backchannel diplomacy.

In an interview with the Associated Press on March 14, Fidan said the current conditions are not conducive to diplomacy, as Iran believes it was targeted for attack while negotiating with the US over its nuclear program. Despite this, he indicated Tehran could be ready for "logical diplomacy behind the scenes."

Fidan noted that Ankara had attempted to mediate by hosting talks in Istanbul between Washington and Tehran before the war began, but those efforts failed prior to Israel's and the US's attacks on Iran.

Turkey's top priority, he emphasized, is to avoid involvement in the Middle East war. Even after intercepting several missiles reportedly launched from Iran, Ankara does not intend to respond militarily.

As a NATO member, Turkey has maintained a relatively neutral stance in the conflict, criticizing both US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes against Gulf countries.

Fidan also addressed reports about Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, saying available information indicates he is alive and carrying out his duties despite claims of injury during the initial war attacks.