Erdogan lauds Iraqi Kurds' neutrality ahead of NATO summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has commended Iraqi Kurdish leaders for refusing to be drawn into the recent conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, framing their restraint as a collective success for regional stability. Speaking in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdogan praised Kurdish officials for not allowing their territory to be used as launch pads for attacks on neighboring countries, a move he said prevented greater regional strife.

The remarks came amid a notable warming in U.S.-Turkish relations, highlighted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will attend a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Trump confirmed his attendance, stating he was going largely out of personal respect for Erdogan, whom he described as a friend, a good man, and a respected leader. The Turkish president later told reporters that a bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the summit was highly likely.

During a joint press appearance with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, also on Wednesday, Trump suggested he was prepared to approve major military sales to Turkey, potentially including F-35 fighter jets and F110 engines, stating he would...