Iran Engages in Ankara Mediation to Prevent US Military Confrontation
A senior Iranian official has stated that Iran is actively preparing for potential military conflict while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic avenues to resolve escalating tensions with the United States. This dual approach comes as Tehran faces mounting pressure from Washington, with urgent talks scheduled in Ankara aimed at averting a devastating war.
Turkish Hosts Critical Mediation Efforts
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is set to travel to Ankara for high-stakes discussions focused on preventing a US military attack. Turkish diplomats are working to convince Tehran that concessions regarding its nuclear programme may be necessary to avoid conflict. This mediation occurs against a backdrop of increasingly aggressive rhetoric from both sides, with no formal direct talks between Iran and the US having taken place for a decade.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has proposed a video conference between Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian – a diplomatic manoeuvre that might appeal to the US leader but faces scepticism from cautious Iranian officials. The visit coincides with reports of senior defence and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia conducting talks on Iran in Washington this week.
Military Posturing and Diplomatic Urgency
As Trump warns that time is running out for a deal and threatens extensive military action, Iran has remained defiant. Army chief Maj Gen Amir Hatami announced that since the June conflict, Iran has revised tactics and built 1,000 sea and land-based drones, complementing its substantial ballistic missile arsenal. These capabilities, he claims, could deliver a crushing response to any attack, though Iran's air defences remain a significant vulnerability.
The Kremlin has urged both sides to recognise that diplomatic opportunities still exist, but Turkey has emerged as the primary mediator in a region growing increasingly apprehensive about a conflict that could easily spread beyond borders.
Domestic Pressures and International Demands
Within Iran, society has become polarised between those demanding the leadership stand firm against American pressure and others seeking to provoke regime change. President Pezeshkian has attempted to address public anger by promising to publish a full list of those killed in recent government crackdowns, though widespread distrust makes verification challenging.
US administration officials have outlined specific demands including:
- Transfer of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third party
- An end to domestic uranium enrichment
- Limits on missile programmes
- Cessation of support for proxy groups
All four demands present significant challenges for Iranian acceptance.
Regional Dynamics and Negotiation Challenges
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasised that attacking Iran would be wrong and that Tehran is prepared to negotiate on nuclear issues. He acknowledged the difficulties Iran faces at the bargaining table, noting that certain concessions might appear humiliating and be difficult to explain to both the public and leadership.
Fidan stressed that Iran needs to rebuild trust in the region and be mindful of how it is perceived by neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, most Gulf states have declared they will not permit their airspace or territory to be used for attacks against Iran, seeking to protect themselves from potential reprisals.
As diplomatic efforts intensify in Ankara, the international community watches closely to see whether dialogue can prevail over military posturing in this critical geopolitical standoff.
