Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the Mecca Alliance:
"I would like to emphasize that the Mecca Alliance does not nullify or replace our country's obligations arising from NATO, as well as from other alliances and agreements."
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Fidan Comments on Mecca Alliance
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:
"Let me underline that the Mecca Alliance was, from the outset, established with the intention of expanding. However, it is essential that its foundations be laid very carefully and solidly at the initial stage."
Turkey FM Calls Netanyahu Global Threat
Turkey's Foreign Minister: "Netanyahu is a threat to global peace."
Turkey, Saudi, Pakistan Hold Mecca Talks
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan held the first meeting of the Mecca Agreement in Istanbul, bringing together their Foreign and Defense Ministers and military chiefs-of-staff.
Turkey Hails Mecca Agreement Impact
Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan:
"(The Mecca Agreement) With this agreement, the process of establishing a new security and cooperation architecture in our region has begun"
Netanyahu Warns of Global Threats
PM Netanyahu:
• Israel must act globally to prevent enemies from rebuilding and new rivals, including Turkey, from emerging.
• Israel still has unfinished missions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
• New threats are emerging, including from Turkey under Erdogan.
Pontoon Bridge Built on Euphrates
Turkish and Syrian forces have built a pontoon bridge across the Euphrates near Al-Mayadeen, east of Deir ez-Zor, linking both banks of the river.
Mecca Defense Pact Meets in Istanbul
The first meeting of the Mecca Defense Agreement will be held in Istanbul on Monday, bringing together Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Attending will be the three countries' foreign ministers, defense ministers and armed forces chiefs of staff, per a Turkish Foreign Ministry source.
Mladenov Outlines Gaza Peace Plan
Gaza Peace Council Director Nikolai Mladenov, to Al Jazeera:
There is no alternative to the current plan for Gaza, and a return to war would be devastating. He warned both the Israeli and Palestinian sides that failure to comply with the r...
Gaza Peace Council Director Nikolai Mladenov, to Al Jazeera:
There is no alternative to the current plan for Gaza, and a return to war would be devastating. He warned both the Israeli and Palestinian sides that failure to comply with the road map threatens the ceasefire and could lead to its collapse.
The first soldiers of the international stabilization force are expected to arrive in Gaza soon. Morocco will participate in the force. Turkey will not.
The Council has received $7 billion in commitments for the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and is holding good talks with the Israeli side on increasing aid into the Strip.
Mladenov expressed hope that the technocrats committee will soon take the reins of power.
Netanyahu Warns on Turkey Threat
Netanyahu on Turkey:
I am not looking for confrontations, but I know one thing: you cannot rely only on the intentions of the enemy.
If you want to defend the State of Israel, you constantly have to build capabilities stronger than the ca...
Netanyahu on Turkey:
I am not looking for confrontations, but I know one thing: you cannot rely only on the intentions of the enemy.
If you want to defend the State of Israel, you constantly have to build capabilities stronger than the capabilities of your enemies.
Intentions change. And do you know when they change? When you are weak. They attack you when you are weak, and they respect you when you are strong. They also make peace with the strong.
You do not make peace alliances with the weak. Therefore, we have to constantly increase our strength.
Netanyahu Comments on Turkey Power
Netanyahu on Turkey:
"Reality is changing rapidly. One power goes down, another power rises. But the most important power that must rise is ours."
Erdogan Defends Turkey's Syria Policy
Turkish President Erdogan on Israel and Syria:
We are not going to stop supporting our neighbors in getting back on their feet just because criminal networks with the blood of innocent people on their hands are disturbed by it.
The foreign policy of this country is determined solely and exclusively by the Turkish nation.
No actor other than the nation can dictate the course or set the limits of Turkey’s foreign policy.
Israel Shares Turkish Position Map
At an Amman meeting, Israel gave Syria a map of Turkish positions inside Syria and around Damascus, including alleged listening devices near Damascus and on the Damascus–Beirut road, diplomatic sources told Al-Hadath.
Israel set its red lines on Turkey's presence. The U.S. pledged to press Turkey to pull back some security points and said Israel stays in the Hermon area. Remaining issues to be resolved diplomatically, with Washington as guarantor.
-Kann News.
Countries Most Exposed to Iran Sanctions
Countries Most Exposed to New Iran Sanctions
China: The biggest. China buys discounted Iranian oil through intermediary networks. The key question is whether Treasury moves beyond small refiners and targets major Chinese banks.
Iraq: Trad...
Countries Most Exposed to New Iran Sanctions
China: The biggest. China buys discounted Iranian oil through intermediary networks. The key question is whether Treasury moves beyond small refiners and targets major Chinese banks.
Iraq: Trade topped $10 billion in 2025, including roughly $4 billion to $5 billion in Iranian gas used for electricity.
Turkey: Iranian gas accounts for about 13% of Turkish gas imports, with bilateral trade around $5 billion to $6 billion. Ankara has shown no sign of cutting back.
UAE: Iran’s longtime reexport hub, but it suspended financial and economic transactions with Tehran this week.
India: About $1.6 billion in 2025, mainly food and pharmaceuticals. No Iranian oil since 2019.
Second tier: Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
At 2 PM EST, we’ll see how far Bessent is willing to go: whether he targets banks that help move Iranian money, or maybe imposes the 25% tariff on countries that trade with Iran.
Interesting day ahead.
Israel Expects Turkey to Push Into Syria
An Israeli assessment holds that Turkey will make a further attempt to establish itself in Syria, describing it as only "a matter of time."
Iran Invited to Join Makha Alliance
Mahdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian Parliament News Agency, in an interview with Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen: Iran has received an invitation to join the "Makha Agreement," the trilateral defense alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Rahimi said Iran is currently considering the matter.
Iran Comments on Defense Pact
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, on the defense agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia: The pact is a sign that America told them it wants to leave the region.
Iran Reacts to Regional Defense Pact
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, on the defense agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia: The pact is a sign that America told them it wants to leave the region.
On being asked to endorse it: "These friends of ours said, come confirm the agreement. But why should we confirm it when we don't know what you have signed?"
Erdogan Comments on Mecca Agreement
Turkish President Erdogan on the Turkey-Saudi-Pakistan Mecca Agreement:
"The agreement enables us to take steps together against any aggression. Israel is the main catalyst of the current war. If anyone attacks Turkey, we will not run away."
Israel Strikes Syria Base Over Turkey
Israel warned the United States that Turkey was preparing to deploy radar at al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria, possibly followed by Turkish-operated air-defense systems and personnel, Kan News reports.
Israeli officials viewed the move ...
Israel warned the United States that Turkey was preparing to deploy radar at al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria, possibly followed by Turkish-operated air-defense systems and personnel, Kan News reports.
Israeli officials viewed the move as a potential shift in the regional balance of power. Israel later struck the airbase runways to prevent equipment or troops from arriving by air, and to warn President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government after earlier diplomatic messages went unanswered.
Sa'ar Seeks Diplomacy With Turkey
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Turkey:
We hear Erdogan’s language. It cannot be ignored. But at the same time, I’m saying that we have no interest in escalation with Turkey.
We will always prefer to resolve situations through deconfliction and diplomatic messages.
US Envoy Breaks Policy on Golan Heights
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack broke with standing U.S. policy and Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
"They (the Israelis) still occupy the Golan against UN resolutions & international order, which has said the Golan is Syria's," Barrack said.
US Envoy Details Israel-Syria Strikes
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack: Israel raised concerns for five days before bombing craters into two Syrian runways. Turkey was not notified, and Israeli jets came within 80 kilometers of its border.
Barrack said Syria had told Mossad there were no Turkish military, convoys, or armaments in the area. A U.S.-backed fusion cell had been set up, and both sides expected the dialogue to continue.
US Envoy Praises Israeli Intelligence
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack:
Israel is smart. They have one of the best intelligence organizations in the world. We all have great respect for them.
Israel Criticizes Turkey and Erdogan
Israel Prime Minister's Office:
Israel has long been unimpressed by Turkey's hypocrisy. Erdogan is an anti-Semitic dictator who has slaughtered Kurds, supports the Hamas terrorist organization, and oppresses his own people. Israel will continue to act decisively against Turkey's attempts to destabilize the region and against any threat to its security.