ISLAMABAD / ANKARA — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan issued a stern warning on Sunday, March 29, 2026, accusing Israel of engineering a “prolonged conflict” designed to shatter Islamic unity and drag regional states into a devastating, generation-long war. Speaking ahead of a high-stakes quadrilateral summit in Islamabad, Fidan argued that Israel’s current strategy relies on sowing “seeds of discord” to keep the Muslim world weak and divided.
Fidan’s comments reflect Ankara’s growing alarm as the U.S.-Israel-Iran war enters its second month, with Turkish intelligence reportedly tracking Israeli efforts to leverage regional ethnic and religious fault lines.
The “Discord” Doctrine
In a series of interviews and public statements over the weekend, including a live broadcast on A Haber, Fidan detailed what he described as an “engineered chaos.”
- A Strategy of Provocation: Fidan noted that while Iran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting 7–8 regional countries (including Gulf states), these reactions play directly into an Israeli-authored script. “Muslim states need to enter into a long-term conflict with each other in the region. This is exactly the scenario Israel wants,” he warned.
- The “Trap” for Islamic Nations: Türkiye has advised restraint to its neighbors, particularly in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, urging them not to overreact to Iranian provocations. Fidan emphasized that a “tit-for-tat” cycle between Islamic nations would make the “reunification of Muslims in the region almost impossible.”
- Expansionist Ambitions: Fidan labeled Israel the “biggest obstacle to peace,” accusing the Netanyahu government of pursuing “expansionist policies” and leveraging its influence over U.S. politics to fuel a war of choice.
The “Systemic Rupture” and Civil War Risks
Speaking at the STRATCOM 2026 summit in Istanbul, Fidan characterized the current war as a “systemic rupture” in global governance.
- Civil War Warning: Ankara is particularly concerned about U.S.-Israeli efforts to instigate a civil war inside Iran for regime change. Fidan labeled this a “historic mistake” that would lead to millions of displaced people and uncontrollable ripple effects.
- The Kurdish Proxy Concern: Turkish officials have specifically pointed to Israel’s “strategy of using Kurdish groups as proxies,” warning that any emergence of an autonomous Kurdish entity inside a weakened Iran would be a “red line” for Türkiye’s own national security.
- Weaponized Narratives: Fidan argued that the battlefield is now “informational,” with narratives being “weaponized” to obscure the truth of what he called the “unlawful” strikes against Iran.
The Islamabad Summit (March 29-30)
Fidan is currently in Pakistan for “in-depth discussions” with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan.
| participant | Core Objective |
| Türkiye | Preempting the “discord scenario” and preventing a ground invasion. |
| Pakistan | Serving as the “Go-Between” for U.S.-Iran messages; finalizing safe passage deals. |
| Saudi & Egypt | Balancing regional security with the need to avoid a “forever war.” |
What’s Next?
The “Islamabad Quartet” is working to establish a formal de-escalation mechanism before the April 6 deadline. Fidan stressed that while the destruction in Iran has shifted negotiation expectations, Türkiye will continue to “mobilize every diplomatic instrument” to avoid a irreversible regional collapse.
