Fidan: renewed attack on Iran would 'expand the war' as R4 and E3 ministers meet in Istanbul
Foreign ministers of the R4 and E3 groups met in Istanbul for the first time, with Türkiye's Hakan Fidan warning a new attack on Iran would expand the regional war and insisting diplomacy is the only solution.
Foreign ministers of the R4 and E3 blocs held their first collective meeting in Istanbul on Friday, warning that a renewed attack on Iran would expand the war.
The R4 group — Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia — met the European E3 of Britain, Germany and France, plus Italy, in two rounds: an R4 regional session first, then an expanded meeting hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Fidan told a press conference: “We are all in agreement that a new attack on Iran would expand the war in the region,” adding: “A military intervention on Iran is not in any way a solution. Nobody approves this at the moment.” He insisted diplomacy and dialogue are “the only solution.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said renewed escalation between Iran and the United States would “only have losers” and raise oil prices.
The ministers also discussed attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi militants, Russia’s war in Ukraine, disruptions in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, and Israel’s “destabilizing role” in the region. The session followed a New York Times report that the US and Israeli militaries had planned renewed Iran strikes after the American midterms, with energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities and missile and drone arsenals as likely targets. US President Donald Trump has said Washington will not attack before the midterms and described talks as “productive”, though on Friday he said the US could end the war quickly and was weighing how fast to move.
Sources:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/turkey-says-renewed-attack-iran-would-expand-conflict-diplomacy-only-way-2026-10-23/
- https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-912670
- https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/new-attack-on-iran-risks-wider-war-diplomacy-only-solution-fm-fidan
- https://www.geo.tv/latest/687993-turkey-says-renewed-attack-iran-would-expand-conflict-diplomacy-only-way
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