Türkiye is pushing for strong Gulf participation at July’s NATO summit in Ankara as fears grow that the conflict between the United States and Iran could reshape the alliance’s priorities and deepen divisions inside NATO.
Türkiye wants strong participation from partner countries, particularly Gulf states, at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara as regional instability and the ongoing U.S.-Iran confrontation increasingly dominate the alliance’s southern security agenda.
The NATO leaders’ summit, scheduled for July 7-8 in the Turkish capital, comes at a time of deep uncertainty over the alliance’s future, growing tensions in the Middle East and renewed debate over Europe’s security architecture.
According to diplomatic sources cited by Hürriyet Daily News, Ankara believes countries involved in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative should play a visible role during the summit due to the deteriorating security environment affecting NATO’s southern flank.
The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, launched in 2004, includes Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Arabia and Oman also participate in selected activities linked to the framework.
Turkish officials reportedly argue that the summit should become a platform for deeper engagement between NATO and Gulf partners as the alliance confronts mounting instability in the Middle East.
One of the key issues surrounding the summit is whether Washington and Tehran can reach a lasting agreement before NATO leaders gather in Ankara.
Sources say Türkiye views a U.S.-Iran deal as the ideal scenario, hoping it would reduce the risk of renewed regional war and ease tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies during the recent confrontation with Iran, accusing European members of failing to support Washington and refusing to help secure maritime routes in the Gulf.
Trump warned that NATO members made a “foolish mistake” by not backing the United States more strongly and has repeatedly threatened to reduce the American military presence in Europe unless allies significantly increase defense spending.
Analysts believe the Ankara summit could become a defining moment for NATO’s future, especially amid growing calls for a more “Europeanized” alliance with greater strategic autonomy.
Türkiye supports strengthening the European pillar within NATO but continues to oppose what it describes as exclusionary or protectionist defense mechanisms emerging inside the European Union.
Some NATO members reportedly worry that excessive focus on the Middle East could divert attention from Europe and the war in Ukraine, though diplomatic sources suggest there is unlikely to be major resistance to Gulf participation at the summit.
Formal invitations to partner countries are expected to be finalized by NATO allies shortly before the event.