Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday held a series of high-level meetings in Istanbul with senior officials from the UN, Qatar, Pakistan, and Iran, amid growing regional tension following Israel's attacks on Iran.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 51st Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers. Erdogan met with UN Alliance of Civilizations High Representative Miguel Angel Moratinos, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
In talks with Qatari and Pakistani officials, Erdogan emphasized the urgent need to de-escalate tensions, warning that the region “cannot afford another war.” He stressed the importance of preventing Syria and Iraq from being drawn into the conflict and underscored that diplomacy—not confrontation—is the only viable path forward.
With Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, Erdogan noted the growing strategic cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan, while also acknowledging the regional risks posed by the Israel-Iran confrontation. He said the only sustainable solution to the nuclear dispute lies in a return to negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Presidential Advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and National Intelligence Director Ibrahim Kalin attended the meetings.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
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The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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