Iran, US 'sincere' about truce: Turkey FM

He is in contact with the parties involved in the negotiations

FE Team | Published: April 13, 2026 22:23:56

ISTANBUL, Apr 13 (AFP): Turkey's foreign minister (FM) said on Monday he believed both Iran and the United States remain "sincere" about reaching a ceasefire despite the failure of Pakistan-mediated talks on the weekend.
US President Donald Trump has blamed the Islamic republic's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions for the collapse of the talks.
"Both sides are sincere about the ceasefire," Hakan Fidan said in an interview with the official Anadolu news agency, adding that he has been in contact with the parties involved in the negotiations.
"I am thinking that if the nuclear issue comes down to an all-or-nothing situation especially regarding enrichment, we might face serious obstacles," Fidan said.
"Hopefully, we will try to overcome this with the support of some mediators," he added.
Turkey, while a fierce critic of Israel, joined diplomatic efforts with Egypt and Pakistan to reach a ceasefire in the conflict.
Qatar FM urges US, Iran to
be open to mediation
Qatar's foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart on Monday that Iran and the United States should engage positively with mediation efforts, warning that maritime routes must not be used as "bargaining tools".
Qatari Foreign Minister and Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "stressed the importance of all parties responding positively to the ongoing mediation efforts," in a call with Abbas Araghchi.
"He also emphasised the need to open maritime routes, guarantee freedom of navigation, and refrain from using them as a tool for pressure or bargaining," according to a statement released by the foreign ministry.
France, UK to work on 'peaceful
multinational mission' for Hormuz
France and Britain will work on a "peaceful multinational mission" to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz but it would be "separate from the warring parties", French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday.
US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February sparked a region-wide war and brought to a near standstill traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.
Iran and the United States last week agreed to a two-week cessation of hostilities, but ceasefire talks between the warring sides in Pakistan on the weekend ended in failure.
China calls reports it supplied
weapons to Iran 'baseless'
China on Monday called reports it had supplied or intended to supply weapons to Iran "baseless smears", after several outlets quoted US intelligence sources to that effect.
On Sunday US President Donald Trump threatened Beijing with a "staggering" new tariff of 50 percent if it were to provide military assistance to Tehran.