Türkiye says Iran open to back-channel talks despite diplomatic deadlock

Hakan Fidan, Türkiye’s foreign minister, said that there is currently no serious initiative to resume negotiations between the United States and Iran, but indicated that Tehran remains open to back-channel diplomacy.

In an interview with Associated Press, Fidan said, “The conditions are not very much conducive” to formal talks, noting that Iranian officials “feel betrayed” after being attacked while engaged in negotiations with Washington over their nuclear program. “I think they are open to any sensible back-channel diplomacy,” he added.

His remarks come as Türkiye seeks to remain outside the widening conflict in the Middle East. Ankara, which maintains relations with both Washington and Tehran, had previously attempted to mediate between the sides before strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran two weeks ago triggered the current war.

Türkiye has adopted a neutral stance, criticizing both US and Israeli attacks on Iran as well as Tehran’s retaliatory strikes against Gulf states hosting American bases. Fidan said he has been urging Iranian officials to halt such actions.

“I know that we are being provoked and we will be provoked, but this is our objective,” he said. “We want to stay out of this war.”

Fidan emphasized that Türkiye’s “primary objective” is to avoid involvement, even after three missiles believed to have originated from Iran were intercepted over Turkish territory by NATO defences. Although Iranian officials denied targeting Türkiye, Fidan said available data indicated the missiles came from Iran. He ruled out a military response, citing the effectiveness of NATO’s defensive systems.

Fidan also commented on internal developments in Iran following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the succession of Mojtaba Khamenei. Fidan said he was unaware of the severity of injuries sustained by Mojtaba Khamenei during a strike but noted that “what we know is that he is alive and functioning.”

According to Fidan, the leadership transition created a temporary gap in Iran’s power structure that has since been filled by the high command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Prior to the conflict, Türkiye had proposed hosting talks in Istanbul involving the US, Iran and regional actors. However, Iran opted instead for negotiations mediated by Oman, focused solely on its nuclear program, which ultimately failed.

Fidan said Iran had refused to discuss its missile program and its support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Iraqi militias. Türkiye had suggested separating the issues, allowing the US and Iran to address nuclear concerns while regional countries engaged Tehran on other matters.

While some analysts have speculated that Türkiye could become a future target of the conflict, Fidan dismissed the notion, though he acknowledged that the war has reinforced Ankara’s determination.

By Vafa Guliyeva