Erdogan Urges Trump to Pursue a Diplomatic Solution

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a telephone call to continue seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran.

The two presidents spoke by phone on Monday night, as the 60-day negotiating period set for reaching a peace agreement between the United States and Iran was nearing its expiration.

According to the Turkish presidency’s communications office, Erdogan emphasized the importance of making maximum use of diplomacy amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran.

Earlier this month, Turkey signed a joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three.

Trump praised the agreement, saying it showed that Middle Eastern countries are coming together and moving toward a more meaningful ability to defend themselves.

Erdogan also told Trump that the defense agreement reflected a strong stance aimed at ensuring regional stability and security.

Key message: The latest attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s stringent conditions, the U.S. blockade and Oman’s mediation efforts have pushed the Middle East conflict into another highly dangerous phase. At the same time, the Houthis’ claimed attack on a Saudi oil facility has heightened concerns that the conflict could spread to a wider part of the Middle East.