European and Middle Eastern Ministers Advocate for US-Iran Diplomacy Over New Attacks

Foreign ministers from eight nations have issued a strong appeal to the United States, urging restraint from further attacks on Iran. This call comes after a meeting in Turkiye where the Strait of Hormuz and other regional developments were discussed. Ministers representing the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (the E3) met with their counterparts from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt (the R4 group), along with Italy, on Friday in Istanbul.

Following the gathering, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that no participating country endorsed additional military intervention or attacks against Iran. He emphasized that such actions would only escalate tensions and broaden the conflict, asserting that diplomacy and dialogue are the sole avenues for resolving the current situation. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot echoed these concerns, warning that further escalation between Iran and the US would result in widespread losses and have severe repercussions on hydrocarbon prices. He added that the group of eight nations would collectively urge both parties to exercise maximum restraint, as another escalation in the region is unaffordable.

Italy’s Antonio Tajani highlighted the objective of promoting de-escalation to ensure freedom of navigation. He expressed his belief that the issues cannot be resolved through military means alone and stressed the importance of fostering dialogue to reopen Hormuz. The ministers also addressed Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, the intensifying fighting in Yemen, and potential pathways to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu reported from Istanbul that the summit represented a novel effort to deliberate on the frameworks of regional conflicts and explore potential resolutions. Despite the diverse national interests among the participating countries, particularly concerning the Gulf crisis, the Turkish foreign minister underscored that events in the Gulf have global implications. Koseoglu noted that the Turkish foreign minister underlined that what is happening in the Gulf … is affecting the other parts of the world.

The meeting in Istanbul also coincided with Turkiye's efforts to enhance its regional influence, including through the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral pact established with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in August. Turkiye has indicated that this pact is not directed at any specific nation and remains open to new members, such as Egypt. Fidan described the pact as informal, flexible, and focused on pertinent regional issues, offering distinct advantages. He further commented that Ankara is well-positioned to play a constructive role, noting the uniqueness of a platform that unites countries with such varied geographical and political backgrounds. Egypt has not yet confirmed its participation in the agreement, though President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently affirmed Egypt's commitment to taking any necessary measures to protect Saudi Arabia amidst the conflict in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthis are engaged in fighting against Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government forces and have carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia.