Reuters: Turkish FM to visit Qatar for talks on Iran conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Qatar on May 12 for talks focused on the war involving Iran, its impact on the Gulf region, and efforts to ensure navigational safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on May 11.

According to the source, NATO member Türkiye, which shares a border with Iran, has remained in close contact with the United States, Iran and mediator Pakistan since the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict involving Iran. Ankara has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting, while condemning attacks on Iran and criticising Iranian strikes on Gulf states as unacceptable.

Fidan, who last visited Doha in March and held two separate phone calls with Iran’s foreign minister over the weekend, is expected to reaffirm Türkiye’s support for Qatar following attacks attributed to Iran, the source said.

During the talks, Fidan is also expected to stress the importance of maintaining maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.

The Turkish diplomatic source said Fidan would voice Ankara’s expectation for navigational safety to be ensured in the strait and underline the importance of stability for regional security and the global economy.

Fidan is also expected to “state that permanently resolving the conflict in the Gulf is the most urgent priority and exchange views on diplomatic initiatives to achieve this,” the source added.

By Sabina Mammadli