Erdoğan Says He Told Trump of Concerns About Renewed Attacks on Iran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he had conveyed his concerns about renewed attacks on Iran to U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists at the end of a visit to Azerbaijan, in remarks published on November 9, he called for a diplomatic solution between Washington and Tehran. Erdoğan said Turkey was ready to take part in efforts to reach such a solution. He maintained that dialogue and diplomacy could resolve the crises, described a recent negative trend and said Ankara was doing everything possible to halt it. He expressed hope that common sense would prevail and that the Middle East would pull back from the brink of disaster. The remarks followed a November 7 telephone conversation between the two presidents. In its account of that call, Turkey’s Directorate of Communications said Erdoğan had called for an end to U.S.–Iran tensions and for the issues to be resolved diplomatically. He also said Turkey would continue working for peace. The official readout said the presidents discussed bilateral ties and regional and global developments. Erdoğan expressed confidence that cooperation between Turkey and the United States would keep growing. He also discussed efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war and said contacts with both countries should increase.