Aysu Bicer and Fatma Zehra Solmaz
24 April 2026•Update: 25 April 2026
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he believes key sticking points in US negotiations with Iran over nuclear issues could soon be overcome, as diplomatic talks are set to resume during the weekend in Pakistan.
“As talks on the Iran war are set to resume tomorrow, I believe that one or two issues—particularly those that had been deadlocked in the nuclear dossier—can be resolved,” Fidan told journalists after a program at Oxford University.
On an official visit to the UK, Fidan said Türkiye was in almost daily contact with all parties involved in the negotiations and welcomed recent steps toward extending a fragile ceasefire.
“We welcomed the initial two-week ceasefire, but we also said at the time that it would not be enough to reach a final agreement,” he said. “That ceasefire has now been extended,” he added, referring to an extension US President Donald Trump announced earlier this week.
“We are trying to contribute positively and provide encouragement to all sides,” he added.
He said progress on nuclear issues could also ease wider regional tensions, including those related to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Hormuz: Diplomacy or escalation
Outlining two possible scenarios for the Gulf waterway, Fidan said the first involves a negotiated return to the previous status quo, ensuring free maritime passage without restrictions or additional costs.
"The second scenario is that if negotiations fail to produce results, the war continues, or other problems arise, the issue becomes how to address the problematic areas in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “The concept of identifying problematic areas in the Strait of Hormuz is a different concept. There are aspects that align with our foreign policy and aspects that do not. Our president is clear on this matter.”
“If Iran and the Americans reach an agreement and peace is achieved, a coalition could carry out technical work there, including mine clearance,” he said.
He added that Türkiye would not oppose such humanitarian and technical operations in a post-conflict environment.
However, he cautioned that Ankara would take a different stance if any operation appears to involve taking sides in a renewed conflict.
“Our sensitivities are clear,” he said. “If there is a situation where we are seen as part of a conflict again, our position would be different.”
Fidan said the sides understand Türkiye’s approach and reiterated that mine clearance remains the immediate priority, describing it as a humanitarian task benefiting all sides.
The Iran-US talks started after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which was later extended by Trump without a specified timeline. The developments come amid ongoing tensions since the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, with efforts focused on reaching a broader agreement to end hostilities.
Türkiye–UK ties deepen with new strategic partnership framework
Fidan also said the signing of the Türkiye-United Kingdom Strategic Partnership Framework during his visit was an important milestone in bilateral ties.
"The UK and Türkiye, both NATO members but not members of the European Union, are two major countries that will play a significant role in complementing each other with their populations, economic strength, capacities and industries," he said.
Fidan called the signing “truly an important stage in terms of where relations between the two countries have reached.”
He said both sides are deepening cooperation through strategic dialogue in areas including trade, technology, the defense industry, European security, and NATO affairs.
He also said he met with UK parliamentarians and media representatives and discussed regional issues such as Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war, and European security.
