UPDATE - Türkiye advises Iran, Pakistan to restore calm after strikes on suspected militants

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye advises against further escalation and urges the restoration of calm, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday after the two neighbors, Iran and Pakistan, launched airstrikes against “terrorists” in each other’s territory.

"Unfortunately, we see that the war in Gaza has increased regional escalation," Hakan Fidan told a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman, the capital of Jordan. "We have been following the developments between Pakistan and Iran with concern over the last two days."

Fidan said he spoke to his Iranian and Pakistani counterparts, Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Jalil Abbas Jilani, respectively, "advised that the issue should not escalate further, and urged the restoration of calm."

Türkiye will continue to do whatever is necessary to reduce the tension between Pakistan and Iran, Fidan said, adding: "Both sides expressed that they do not desire the escalation of tension and that they have it under control."

Islamabad on Thursday said it launched precision strikes against separatist terrorists in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, two days after Tehran struck what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

- Gaza War

Fidan said it is imperative to immediately stop the massacre in Gaza and lift the unlawful blockade that is in place.

"We have been following up on the decisions taken at the joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League."

They have always stressed the need for a lasting cease-fire in Gaza, Fidan said.

The majority of the world is concerned about the ongoing humanitarian tragedy, said Fidan, adding that Ankara's "initiatives have contributed to the international community reaching this point."

Israel's attempts to legitimize its attacks on Palestine for security reasons are absolutely "unacceptable," Fidan said.

What Israel claims to do for its own security is nothing but expansionism and occupation, he said, adding that after every war and crisis, Israel's territorial expansion serves as the most concrete evidence.

"Israel is stealing the lands of Palestinians with the occupation activities it calls settlements in the West Bank.

"Let's be clear, the ones actually under the threat of security are not Israel but, on the contrary, the Palestinians and the countries in the region."

- South Africa's move to bring Israel to ICJ

Fidan emphasized that an understanding that only speaks of Israel's security, ignoring the security threats faced by Palestinians, brings war rather than peace to the region.

Türkiye welcomed South Africa’s move to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its alleged genocidal violations against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, he said.

Fidan emphasized they attach great importance to Jordan's role as the guardian of holy sites in Jerusalem and its preservation.

"Without a just resolution of the Palestinian issue, the establishment of lasting peace and stability in our region seems impossible. Concrete steps are now needed, and everyone should take responsibility in this regard."

Fidan highlighted that a solution is only possible through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem, based on the 1967 borders and possessing geographical integrity.

In response to a question from a journalist regarding the recent crisis in the region, Fidan said that such crises will always exist.

"We are putting forth every diplomatic effort to stop the massacre, resolve the Palestinian issue, and ensure that Palestinians gain the state, sovereignty, and security they deserve.

"The nature of the issue is related to the use of force, so the scope of diplomacy in this matter can be somewhat limited."

- Syrian War

Fidan drew attention to the significant threats and interests of both Jordan and Türkiye in Syria, noting that both countries have been greatly affected by the ongoing civil war in Syria.

Highlighting the prolonged refugee and security issues, the Turkish foreign minister said they extensively discussed what the two neighboring countries could do to address these problems and how they could sustain their relationship around these issues.

Fidan stated that in addition to regional developments, they also addressed bilateral relations in Thursday's meeting, emphasizing that cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, education, culture, and tourism is at a very good level.

Noting that global and regional crises have not affected the economic and trade relations between Türkiye and Jordan, Fidan said the trade volume between the two countries exceeded $1 billion in 2023.