Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Turkey on Friday following Ankara’s proposal to mediate between Tehran and Washington, amid U.S. threats of military action against Iran, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source.
اضافة اعلان
The source said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan “will reiterate Turkey’s opposition to any military intervention against Iran, stressing the risks of such a step for the region and the world,” and will emphasize that “Turkey is ready to help ease current tensions through dialogue.”
Meanwhile, multiple sources indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering options against Iran, including targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to support protesters, despite Israeli and Arab officials noting that airstrikes alone would not topple the Iranian leadership.
Two U.S. sources familiar with internal discussions said Trump aims to create conditions for “regime change” after Iranian authorities suppressed nationwide protests earlier this month, resulting in thousands of deaths. The options under review include strikes against leaders and institutions deemed responsible for the violence, intended to empower protesters.
One U.S. source indicated that advisors are also considering a larger strike targeting ballistic missile capabilities or uranium enrichment facilities, which could have lasting effects. However, Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to pursue a military path.
The arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier and supporting warships in the Middle East this week enhances Trump’s military options after repeated threats in response to the Iranian crackdown.
Several Arab and Western officials expressed concern that such strikes could further traumatize already reeling protests rather than galvanize public action, given the harsh repression since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute, described the Iranian protests as “heroic but lightly armed” without widespread military defections.
Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to negotiate a nuclear agreement, warning that any future U.S. strike would be harsher than the June attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites. He described U.S. naval forces in the region as a “fleet” heading toward Iran.
A senior Iranian official said the country is “preparing for military confrontation while simultaneously using diplomatic channels,” but indicated that Washington is showing little openness to diplomacy. The Iranian mission to the UN reaffirmed that Iran’s nuclear program is for civilian purposes and stated that Tehran is ready for dialogue “based on mutual respect and shared interests,” while vowing to defend itself “as never before” if necessary.
Previous U.S. negotiation points have focused on preventing independent uranium enrichment, restricting long-range ballistic missile programs, and curbing Iran-aligned armed groups in the Middle East.
