Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Conducts Urgent Diplomacy in Riyadh Amid Escalating Iran War Tensions

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan leads diplomatic talks in Riyadh with Azerbaijan and Pakistan to address regional tensions from the ongoing Iran conflict.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:02 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Anadolu Agency

Urgent Diplomatic Maneuvers Amidst Regional Conflict Expansion

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in a series of critical separate meetings with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. These discussions occurred on the sidelines of a high level regional gathering specifically convened to manage the fallout of the ongoing Iranian centered war. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the primary focus of these talks is to coordinate a unified response to the destabilizing violence that has gripped the Middle East and parts of Asia over the last several weeks.

Strategic Alignment with Key Regional Allies

The separate sessions with Bayramov and Dar signify Turkey's intent to consolidate its strategic partnerships with both Baku and Islamabad as the conflict landscape shifts. These meetings are part of a broader diplomatic tour initiated by Ankara to find a resolution to the hostilities that began with a major offensive on February 28. According to reports from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the discussions in Riyadh centered on the immediate security implications for neighboring states and the potential for a humanitarian crisis if the current trajectory of the war remains unchecked.

Broad Coalition Gathers Under Saudi Hosting

The summit hosted by Saudi Arabia represents a significant effort to bring together diverse regional powers, including representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. This coalition is attempting to navigate the complex security environment created by the joint U.S. and Israeli operations against Iranian targets and the subsequent retaliatory strikes from Tehran. According to sources within the Turkish delegation, the inclusion of such a wide range of Middle Eastern and Asian nations highlights the systemic risk that the current war poses to global energy markets and regional territorial integrity.