Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Saturday to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the ongoing military confrontation between Israel and Iran.
According to a statement released by the Turkish presidency, both leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional developments, with Erdogan welcoming Trump’s recent public remarks calling for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict.
During the call, President Erdogan expressed concern over the potential for the conflict to spiral further out of control, warning that the region was on the brink of catastrophe. “Immediate action is needed to prevent a disaster that could engulf the entire Middle East,” Erdogan reportedly told Trump.
He emphasized that the only viable solution to the nuclear dispute involving Iran lies in diplomacy, not military escalation. The Turkish leader reiterated Ankara’s readiness to support efforts toward dialogue, including offering to help mediate talks between the parties.
Erdogan also condemned the humanitarian and economic fallout of the ongoing hostilities, stating that the violence initiated by Israel’s strikes on Iranian territory has caused severe damage to civilians and infrastructure on both sides. He warned against continuing along a path that could have long-term consequences for regional stability.
The phone call came hours after Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express optimism about a possible breakthrough. “Peace will soon be achieved between Israel and Iran,” Trump wrote, adding that “many discussions and meetings are currently taking place.”
He went on to draw a comparison to his past diplomatic efforts, stating, “Iran and Israel must make a deal, and they will—just as I convinced India and Pakistan to make a deal.”
While details of any concrete negotiation efforts remain unclear, both leaders appeared to agree on the urgency of halting the violence and restoring calm. Erdogan’s outreach underscores Turkey’s growing diplomatic role in the region, particularly as a potential intermediary in conflicts where it maintains ties with both sides.
As tensions between Israel and Iran continue to dominate international headlines, the Erdogan-Trump call signals mounting pressure on global leaders to intervene and prevent the conflict from expanding further.
