Erdogan Urges Trump to Open Direct Talks with Iran, Pledges Turkish Support

Ankara offers itself as diplomatic bridge amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to pursue direct negotiations with Iran rather than risk a dangerous military escalation, offering Turkish assistance to facilitate talks. The appeal, made during a phone call between the two leaders, underscores Ankara’s desire to position itself as a key diplomatic intermediary in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

According to a readout from the Turkish presidency, Erdogan emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve disagreements and avoid actions that could further destabilize the Middle East. Turkey is “ready to provide every kind of support for the de-escalation of tensions and the advancement of diplomatic solutions,” the statement said, without providing further details on what that support might entail.

The conversation comes at a time when U.S.-Iran relations are frayed, with Washington maintaining a “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions and Tehran gradually reducing its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal. Recent incidents in the Persian Gulf, including attacks on oil tankers and the downing of a U.S. drone, have brought the two nations closer to direct military confrontation.

Why Turkey wants a seat at the table

Turkey’s geopolitical position gives it unique leverage. It is a NATO ally of the United States yet shares a long border with Iran and has deepened economic and energy ties with Tehran in recent years. A full-blown conflict between the U.S. and Iran would threaten Turkish trade, tourism, and security, especially along its volatile frontier with Syria, where Iranian-backed militias operate. Turkey imports significant quantities of Iranian natural gas, and any disruption could ripple through its domestic economy.

By offering to mediate, Erdogan is also signaling to both Washington and Tehran that Ankara remains an indispensable regional actor, one that can talk to all sides even when relations with each are strained. Turkey has previously hosted negotiations between Iran and world powers over its nuclear program, and Erdogan maintains a working relationship with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

A delicate balancing act

Erdogan’s outreach to Trump comes despite his own public criticism of U.S. policies in the Middle East and a bilateral relationship tested by disagreements over Syria, Kurdish fighters, and Turkey’s purchase of a Russian missile defense system. Yet the Turkish leader has frequently positioned himself as a potential mediator in international disputes, including the war in Ukraine.

Whether the Trump administration will welcome Turkey’s offer remains unclear. The White House has not issued a formal statement on the call, and the State Department has declined immediate comment. Iran, too, has not publicly responded to the Turkish proposal, though it has consistently demanded sanctions relief as a condition for talks.

Analysts say Ankara’s bid may face skepticism in Washington, given Turkey’s close energy cooperation with Iran and Erdogan’s sometimes combative rhetoric toward the West. However, with the alternative being open conflict, the Turkish channel could become more attractive if other avenues fail.

The phone call is only the latest chapter in a long-standing Turkish effort to mediate between the U.S. and Iran. In 2010, Turkey and Brazil attempted to negotiate a nuclear fuel-swap deal with Tehran, a diplomatic gambit that ultimately collapsed under Western pressure. Erdogan has periodically revived talk of playing that role again, most notably when U.S.-Iran tensions spiked after the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

With the region on edge and the U.S. presidential election campaign intensifying, the window for diplomacy may be narrowing. Erdogan’s message to Trump was a reminder that Ankara believes it can help keep that window open — if both sides are willing to listen.