Latest News from Turkey
Erdogan 'Deeply Disturbed' by Israel-US Strikes on Iran and Iran's Gulf Attacks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed being 'deeply disturbed' by Israeli-US attacks on Iran and condemned Tehran's retaliatory drone and missile strikes on Gulf states as 'unacceptable'. He urged the Islamic world to act to prevent further regional suffering and vowed to accelerate Turkey's diplomatic efforts. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held calls with counterparts to end the attacks.
Erdogan Discusses Mideast Crisis with Qatari Emir and UAE President
President Erdogan held separate calls with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, offering condolences over attacks on their countries following US-Israel strikes on Iran. He discussed the latest regional developments amid Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases in Gulf nations. Turkey's Communications Directorate confirmed the conversations.
Turkey Rejects Claims of Airspace Use in Attacks on Iran
Erdogan's office denied allegations that Turkish airspace was used for US-Israel attacks on Iran, despite Turkey hosting US forces at Incirlik Air Base. This comes amid heightened regional tensions and Erdogan's criticism of both sides in the conflict. The statement emphasizes Turkey's neutral diplomatic stance.
Concerns Rise Over Potential Migration Wave from Iran to Turkey
Columnist Fatih Çekirge highlights fears of mass migration from Iran due to the war, but Defense Minister Yaşar Güler states Turkey is fully prepared with intensified border security in areas like Van’s Başkale. Winter conditions and heavy snow make large-scale crossings unlikely, and thousands of illegal attempts were prevented last year. Psychological factors may deter Iranians from fleeing unlike Syrians.
EBRD Forecasts Turkey's GDP Growth at 4% in 2026, 4.5% in 2027
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development projects Turkiye's real GDP to grow 4% in 2026 and 4.5% in 2027, up from 3.7% estimated for 2025. Growth is driven by strong private consumption, investment, stabilized financial conditions, and reserves exceeding $200 billion despite market volatility. EBRD has committed over €23 billion to Turkey since 2009.
Risk of War Spillover into Turkey Amid Iran Conflict
Fatih Çekirge assesses low likelihood of direct Iranian attacks on Turkey due to Ankara's peace efforts and criticism of Israel, but warns of possible provocations or destabilization attempts. Turkish intelligence is evaluating scenarios as Iran targets US bases in Gulf states. Regional proxies like Hezbollah and Houthis may also be affected.
Turkey Heightens Border Security with Iran, Neighbors
Erdogan stated no border security issues along the 500-km Turkey-Iran frontier, with police, gendarmerie, and intelligence taking measures. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci held calls with Azerbaijani and Iraqi counterparts on cooperation. Turkey hosts over 74,000 Iranians with residence permits.
Erdogan Urges Islamic World to Lead Action Against Escalation
President Erdogan called on 'all actors, especially the Islamic world,' to prevent further war escalation after failed diplomatic efforts including calls with US President Trump and Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian. He blamed trust deficits and Israel's interference for stalled peace talks. Oman had reported progress just before the strikes.
Two Journalists Arrested for Filming Near US-Hosted Airbase
Two Turkish journalists from Anka news agency were arrested Saturday for filming near a sensitive southern airbase hosting US troops. The incident occurs amid regional tensions and speculation over Incirlik's role. Authorities detained them for live footage near the site.
Turkey's Diverse Energy Mix in 2026: Hydro Leads at 27%
Turkey relies on hydro for 27% of electricity, natural gas 21%, coal 18%, solar 19%, and wind 11%, as the second-largest coal producer in Europe. Most oil and gas are imported from Russia and Iran, pushing renewables to reduce dependence. Industrial growth along Istanbul-Ankara corridor highlights investor-friendly policies.
OECD Highlights Turkey's Robust Growth Amid Global Slowdown
The OECD forecasts global GDP slowdown to 2.9% in 2026, but notes Turkey among economies like Israel and Chile with stronger foundations exceeding averages. This reflects resilience in emerging markets despite moderating global demand. Turkey's projection aligns with EBRD estimates.