Eight-Nation Bloc Urges Diplomacy to Prevent Strikes on Iran

Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Italy convened in Istanbul to form a multinational anti-war bloc. The group urged the United States and Israel to abandon plans for military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile arsenals, warning that such actions would expand the regional conflict.

Hakan Fidan, the Foreign Minister of Turkiye, stated that military intervention is not a solution and that diplomacy is the only path to ending the war. Other participants, including French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, cautioned that further escalation would cause serious consequences for global hydrocarbon prices, which have already reached their highest levels since May. German representative Johann Wadephul accused Iran and the Houthis of blackmailing world trade, while the group demanded an end to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently blockaded by Iranian forces.

Contradictory signals emerged from the United States. President Donald Trump stated the U.S. would not attack before the midterm elections, citing productive talks with Tehran. However, U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack claimed Washington could absolutely strike Iran as early as this weekend to achieve a rebalancing and end hostage-taking. The summit also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza.