By Micah Jonah
January 28, 2026
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, on Wednesday urged the United States to resolve its disputes with Iran “one by one” rather than through a sweeping deal, saying such an approach would prevent humiliating Iranian officials. He also stated that Tehran is ready for talks on its nuclear programme.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Fidan stressed that Turkey opposes any foreign intervention or attack on Iran. “It would be wrong to start the war again,” he said.
“My advice always to the American friends: close the files one by one with Iranians. Start with nuclear, close it, then the other, then the other,” Fidan added. “If you put them as a package all of them, it will be very difficult for our Iranian friends to digest. It sometimes might seem humiliating for them. It will be very difficult to explain to not only themselves, but also to the leadership.”
The call comes amid heightened tensions in the region, after U.S. President Donald Trump last week warned Tehran against resuming its nuclear programme or targeting protesters, while claiming that an “armada” was heading toward Iran.
Iran recently faced a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, resulting in thousands of deaths and arrests. Authorities blamed the unrest on “armed terrorists and rioters” allegedly linked to the United States and Israel. Rights groups describe the protests as the largest since the 1979 Iranian revolution.
Turkey, a NATO member sharing a border with Iran, has engaged with both U.S. and Iranian officials. Ankara maintains that Tehran must manage its domestic issues independently, warning that any destabilization could overwhelm the region.
Fidan also noted ongoing Israeli threats toward Iran, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions over military action.
