Erdogan urges Trump to prioritize Iran talks amid strained ceasefire

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday to prioritize diplomacy to deescalate tensions with Iran, offering Turkey's support for peace efforts as a fragile ceasefire in the region shows signs of straining. The conversation occurred as Iran signaled a potential shift to a "fully offensive" military posture following stalled negotiations.

According to a statement from the Turkish presidency, Erdogan emphasized to Trump that it is "of great importance to make the utmost of diplomacy" regarding the Iran-U.S. tensions. The Turkish leader expressed hope that negotiations would continue and affirmed that Turkey will maintain its support for peace initiatives. Turkey, which possesses NATO's second-largest military, has repeatedly called for an end to the five-month war and has acted as a mediator, maintaining contact with Washington, Tehran, and other involved parties including Pakistan and Qatar.

The call comes amid broader regional developments. A senior Iranian official stated that Iran is moving to a fully offensive posture because efforts to secure a permanent end to the war have stalled, a situation that contributed to...