Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday called on global powers to capitalize on a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, warning that failure to reform the international system could trigger broader conflicts across the Middle East.
Speaking at the opening of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Erdoğan said the current pause in hostilities offered a critical opportunity for diplomacy that must not be squandered.
“The window of opportunity opened by the ceasefire must be seized,” he said, urging world leaders to prevent a return to military confrontation. “No matter how deep the disagreements may be, weapons must not replace words.”
Erdoğan warned that the global system was increasingly unable to manage crises, describing the international order as ineffective in the face of escalating conflicts.
“If the system is not reformed, bigger conflicts will come,” he said, pointing to ongoing tensions in Gaza and the wider region as evidence of systemic failure.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining stability in key geopolitical flashpoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route.
“The main goal is to ensure freedom of navigation based on established rules and to keep Hormuz open to commercial vessels,” Erdoğan said, adding that access to international waters should not be restricted.
The Turkish leader positioned Türkiye as a key diplomatic actor, advocating dialogue and de-escalation amid overlapping global crises.
Parallel diplomatic efforts were underway on the sidelines of the forum, where foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan held a four-way meeting aimed at advancing negotiations to end the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The meeting marked the third such gathering in less than a month, following earlier talks in Riyadh and Islamabad, which contributed to the current ceasefire but have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the region faced one of the most serious crises in recent history and stressed the need for a permanent political solution.
“Our region is facing a very serious challenge,” Fidan said, adding that while the ceasefire was a positive step, “more needs to be done for lasting peace.”
He also criticized what he described as ongoing instability driven by regional conflicts, warning that continued escalation could threaten global security.
Diplomatic sources said the ministers discussed ways to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with both sides expected to prepare for a new round of talks in the coming days.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum has brought together leaders, diplomats and policymakers from more than 150 countries, reflecting growing international concern over overlapping conflicts, fragile ceasefires and rising geopolitical tensions.