Turkey and European and Middle East ministers urge diplomacy over renewed attack on Iran

Summary

On Friday, October 23, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan cautioned against any renewed attack on Iran, saying such a move would exacerbate tensions and further expand the conflict, and that diplomacy and dialogue were the only way to end the war. Fidan spoke to the press after meeting foreign ministers from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Britain and Italy in Istanbul. Middle East Eye quotes him as saying that military intervention in Iran "is not in any way a solution." Al Jazeera reports that the ministers urged US-Iran diplomacy rather than new attacks, as a US official warned of a possible strike, and that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said further escalation would "create nothing but losers." Middle East Eye adds that Barrot said renewed escalation between Iran and the United States would only have losers and raise oil prices.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   23 Oct 2026, 16:11 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan cautioned on Friday against any renewed attack on Iran, saying it would exacerbate tensions and further expand the conflict, and that diplomacy and dialogue were the only way to end the war.

2. Al Jazeera

   23 Oct 2026, 16:29 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that European and Middle East ministers, after a joint meeting in Istanbul, urged US-Iran diplomacy rather than new attacks, with the French foreign minister warning that further escalation would "create nothing but losers."

3. Middle East Eye

   23 Oct 2026, 17:51 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Fidan warned against renewed attacks on Iran after meeting foreign ministers from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Britain and Italy, and that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said renewed escalation would only have losers and raise oil prices.