Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that Turkey is ready to provide any form of assistance in implementing a potential agreement with Iran. He made the remarks during a recent phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump and other regional leaders, according to Al Jazeera. Erdoğan’s office said he emphasized that ensuring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and reaching an agreement with Iran could enhance stability in the Middle East and bring relief to the global economy.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such an initiative could signal diplomatic progress aimed at easing long-standing tensions between Iran and Western countries. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to reduce regional friction and promote cooperation among key stakeholders.

If realized, the proposed deal and Turkey’s involvement could contribute to broader regional stability and economic reassurance, though details of the agreement remain under discussion.

A Turkish appeals court in Ankara has annulled the 2023 party congress that elected Ozgur Ozel as chairman of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), declaring the vote invalid. The ruling effectively removes Ozel from his position and reinstates former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim head. The court cited allegations of electoral fraud and inducements used to secure Ozel’s victory. The decision is seen as politically advantageous for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Under Ozel’s leadership, the CHP had grown in popularity, nearly matching Erdogan’s ruling AK Party. Ozel became a prominent opposition figure after the 2025 arrest and imprisonment of Istanbul’s former mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, which triggered nationwide protests. A lower court had previously dismissed the allegations against the 2023 congress, but the appeals court overturned that ruling.

Following the verdict, the CHP called an emergency meeting at its Ankara headquarters, where hundreds of supporters protested. The Istanbul BIST 100 stock index dropped more than six percent, prompting a temporary suspension of trading. The next presidential election in Turkey is scheduled for 2028.

Israel is considering closing its consulate in Istanbul due to ongoing tensions with Iran and heightened security risks, according to an Israeli diplomatic source. Internal discussions are underway regarding the future of the consulate, one of Israel’s oldest diplomatic missions. Even if the Istanbul office is closed, the Israeli embassy in Ankara will remain formally open but without Israeli diplomats on duty.

Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israeli officials were withdrawn from Turkey, and both the Ankara embassy and Istanbul consulate have since been operated by local Turkish staff. The consulate building, located in Istanbul’s commercial district, faces potential demolition due to earthquake risks and high maintenance costs. A shooting incident near the consulate on April 7 further intensified security discussions.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the Hamas-Israel war began, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sharply criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. The two countries had restored diplomatic ties in 2016 after years of strained relations following the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his call for families to have more children, labeling birth control a 'betrayal' and the country's declining birthrate a 'disaster.' Throughout his 23-year political career, Erdogan has promoted traditional family roles and urged couples to have at least three, preferably four or five, children. He argues that a higher birthrate will make Turkey stronger in the future. However, Turkey’s fertility rate has dropped well below the replacement level of 2.1, reaching a record low of 1.48 in 2024.

Demographers attribute the decline to urbanization, lifestyle changes, and women’s access to higher education, as well as economic hardship caused by inflation and low wages. Despite government incentives such as extended parental leave, cash bonuses, and interest-free marriage loans, many families say the support is insufficient amid rising living costs. Parents interviewed described struggling to afford housing, childcare, and basic needs.

Analysts note that Erdogan’s push reflects both economic and conservative Islamic motivations. Experts doubt the new incentives will reverse the trend, as younger Turks increasingly prioritize education, careers, and smaller families. The government has declared 2025 the “Year of the Family” and launched a decade-long population initiative through 2035.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Israel is undermining the shared values of humanity. Speaking on May 15, 2026, he said that ongoing regional conflicts and crises have become major obstacles to global security, economic prosperity, and stability.

Erdogan highlighted that geopolitical rivalries, disruptions in energy security, and resulting financial instability have created new asymmetric risks that are testing the global system. He pointed out that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has exposed the weaknesses of the existing international order.

He emphasized that establishing a fair, inclusive, and stable international system requires strong bilateral, regional, and global cooperation. His remarks were reported by TRT World, reflecting Turkey’s continued focus on global justice and multilateral engagement.

More than 30 ships and vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza, arrived at Turkey’s Marmaris coast after a 24-day sea journey. Videos shared on social media Saturday evening showed the ships anchored in open waters as Turkish officials and human rights activists welcomed the fleet. Activist Alex Colston said on social media platform X that Turkey’s coast guard and local Global Sumud Fleet members went out to greet the convoy.

According to activists, the flotilla made stopovers in Sicily, Italy, and Crete, Greece, during its voyage. Israeli forces reportedly detained 22 vessels and two senior activists along the route, though the two detained activists were later returned from Israel. The Global Sumud Flotilla stated that while in Marmaris, the ships will undergo technical maintenance, safety checks, and resupply operations.

The organization added that details of the next stages of the Gaza-bound humanitarian mission will be announced in the coming days.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Europe will remain incomplete and weak in facing crises if Turkey is not given its rightful place within the European framework. He made the remarks on Saturday in a message marking Europe Day. Erdogan described the Schuman Declaration as not only a symbol of the European Union but also a reflection of the continent’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.

He noted that the founding principles of the European Union, established 76 years ago, are being tested by wars, political instability, and economic challenges. Erdogan emphasized that these global crises have compelled the EU to adopt more inclusive and unified policies, with Turkey remaining an indispensable and undeniable part of this process as a candidate country.

Reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to advancing relations with the EU on the basis of equality and mutual promises, Erdogan expressed hope that the bloc would show the same sincerity. He added that Europe needs Turkey more than Turkey needs Europe and extended his best wishes to the people of Europe and Turkey on Europe Day.

Turkey has unveiled its first intercontinental ballistic missile, named 'Yildirimhan', during the International Saha Expo in Istanbul, which began on May 5 and runs until May 9. The missile, developed by the country's Defense Ministry’s research and development center, features the monogram of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and the emblem of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Defense Minister Yasar Güler stated that it is Turkey’s first liquid-fueled missile with hypersonic characteristics and the longest-range missile produced domestically.

According to a chart displayed beside the missile, Yildirimhan has a maximum range of 6,000 kilometers, is powered by four rocket engines, and can travel at speeds 25 times faster than sound using liquid nitrogen tetroxide fuel. The unveiling follows Turkey’s recent advances in missile and drone technology, including the Typhoon Block Four ballistic missile introduced last year.

Turkey has signed multiple international agreements restricting the production and export of long-range ballistic missiles. Experts note that some countries may understate missile ranges to avoid sanctions, as seen in recent uses of medium-range missiles by Russia and Iran.

Turkey publicly unveiled its first intercontinental ballistic missile, named Ildirımhan, during the International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition held in Istanbul in 2026. The missile was developed by the Research and Development Center of Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense. With a range of 6,000 kilometers and speeds between Mach 9 and Mach 25, the system significantly enhances the country’s long-range strike capability.

The Ildirımhan missile uses liquid nitrogen tetroxide as fuel and is powered by four rocket engines. Officials described it as one of the most advanced missiles ever produced in Turkey. The unveiling took place at the 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, where leading Turkish defense companies and government institutions showcased new technologies across various sectors.

The event highlighted Turkey’s growing focus on indigenous defense technology development and its ambition to expand its strategic capabilities through advanced missile systems.

Turkey has developed three new kamikaze drones—K2, Sivrisinek, and Mizrak—through defense manufacturer Baykar, aiming to rival Iran’s Shahed series. The drones vary in range and payload capacity, with the K2 capable of carrying 200 kilograms of explosives over 2,000 kilometers, while Sivrisinek and Mizrak offer shorter ranges and lighter payloads. The Sivrisinek, unveiled last week, can fly up to 1,000 kilometers with a 20-kilogram warhead, and Mizrak, introduced Thursday, carries 40 kilograms over a similar distance. All three drones can operate without satellite navigation and are designed for coordinated swarm attacks.

The development comes as Turkey and Israel face rising tensions and as Iran’s drone program gains prominence through its use of Shahed drones in conflicts involving the United States and Israel. Turkish experts argue that Iran’s UAVs lack advanced artificial intelligence, precision targeting, and self-defense capabilities, areas where Turkish systems reportedly excel.

Baykar plans to integrate the three drones into a unified strike system, signaling Turkey’s growing ambition in autonomous aerial warfare technology.

Bangladeshi International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman narrowly missed earning a norm at the Fubi Academy Grandmasters Chess Tournament held in Istanbul, Turkey. The event concluded with Fahad losing to Hungarian Grandmaster Aszel Gargely in the final round, which cost him the required points for the norm. He finished as runner-up with six points from nine games, adding eleven rating points to his record.

Fahad had previously achieved his first norm in 2024 and was aiming for his second in this tournament. He started strongly with three consecutive wins but drew against Iranian Grandmaster Arian Gholami in the fourth round and lost to Turkish FIDE Master Denis Dirikolur in the fifth. Despite recovering with 2.5 points in the next three rounds, he needed a win in the ninth round to secure the norm, which he could not achieve.

The result leaves Fahad disappointed but with improved performance metrics and a higher international rating, strengthening his prospects for future tournaments.

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have intensified following a series of mutual accusations and legal actions. Turkey previously filed charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 35 others over an attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. In response, Netanyahu accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of atrocities against Kurdish citizens. The dispute has since expanded, with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also making provocative remarks, calling Turkey the new Iran.

The ongoing verbal conflict reflects deeper divisions over Israel’s actions in Gaza, Syria’s political changes, and Israel’s growing ties with Greece and Cyprus. Analysts suggest that if relations deteriorate further, Turkey could take punitive measures such as halting oil supplies through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline or closing its airspace to Israeli flights. These steps could temporarily disrupt Israel’s energy and aviation sectors but may have limited long-term impact due to alternative routes and markets.

Despite reduced bilateral trade since 2024, some Turkish goods still reach Israel through third countries. Turkey’s growing defense capabilities and regional alliances are seen as part of its broader strategy to counter Israeli influence while maintaining strategic ties with NATO and other regional powers.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey could take part in mine clearance operations in the Hormuz Strait if a peace agreement is reached between the United States and Iran. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists in London, noting that the clearance work would be carried out by a technical team formed through coordination among several countries.

Fidan stated that Turkey has no objection to joining the technical mission but cautioned that Ankara would reconsider its position if the coalition later takes sides in renewed conflict. He also expressed hope that the next round of talks in Pakistan could resolve issues related to Iran’s nuclear program.

The statement highlights Turkey’s conditional willingness to contribute to regional stability efforts while maintaining a cautious stance on potential geopolitical shifts.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday called on alliance members to learn from Turkey’s defense industry, describing the country as having undergone a defense industry revolution. Speaking at the headquarters of Turkish defense company Aselsan, he said Turkey’s rapid progress in recent years could serve as an example for others. Rutte emphasized that increasing production alongside innovation is one of NATO’s top priorities and noted that these issues will be highlighted at the NATO summit scheduled for July in Ankara.

He stated that raising defense spending alone will not ensure security, stressing the need to expand production of air defense systems, drones, ammunition, radar, and space technologies. Rutte praised Turkey’s achievements, saying Aselsan is at the forefront of this progress, and urged the company to accelerate innovation and production. He added that ensuring the security of nearly one billion people across Europe and North America requires not only strong armed forces but also a robust defense industry.

Rutte also noted growing cooperation within NATO and highlighted that Turkish defense firms are expanding their operations and exports across Europe, calling for stronger collaboration from Alaska to Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the consequences of the ongoing Iran war are spreading into Europe and could worsen if peace is not achieved. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to a report published on April 23, 2026.

Erdogan stated that the conflict in the region is beginning to weaken Europe and emphasized that the damage caused by the war could increase further without peace. He added that Turkey is working to end the Iran conflict through dialogue and to achieve a lasting peace.

The discussion between the Turkish and German presidents highlights Ankara’s diplomatic engagement amid regional instability, as Turkey seeks to position itself as a mediator in the Iran conflict.