April 14, 2026 | 12:44 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Israel may shift its strategic focus to Turkey as its next regional rival after Iran.
Fidan’s remarks came following the collapse of Iran–US peace talks and amid rising tensions with Israel over regional stability. Ankara has so far stayed outside the conflict involving Iran but has been accused of maintaining close ties with Tehran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine.
“After Iran, Israel cannot exist without an enemy; as you know, it has to develop a certain rhetoric,” Hakan Fidan said in a television interview with Anadolu news agency on Monday, as quoted by TRT World.
Israel’s Alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean
Fidan also expressed concern over growing cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, as reported by Euractiv.
The three countries have expanded collaboration in energy and regional defense. Greece recently signed a $3 billion deal with Israel to acquire the PULS missile system, a key component of the planned air defense network dubbed the “Achilles Shield”.
Fidan said the trio appeared aimed at “encircling Turkey, or creating such [an] impression”, adding the issue remains “very much on our radar”. He also claimed attempts to draw in other neighbouring countries had been blocked by Ankara.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said Greece and Cyprus do not need a military alliance with Israel.
“Greece is already a NATO member, and the Greek Cypriot side has EU backing. What strategic logic such cooperation or a military alliance serves is something they have not been able to explain to me,” he said, referring to ties with Israel.
According to Fidan, the arrangement is likely an “imposition placed on the government at someone else’s behest.” He added that he has warned Greece that cooperation with Israel is a “risk-incurring” policy that could drag it into a wider conflict.
Read: Iranian President Condemns Trump's Insult Towards Pope Leo XIV
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Fact Check: Turkish Helicopters Headed to Iran in Viral Video Is False
8 hari lalu
Fact check - The video circulating online is part of South Korea's military air show rehearsal for 77th Armed Forces Day, October 1, 2024, in Seoul.
Turkey: Thousands of Imamoglu supporters Rally in Istanbul
26 hari lalu
Thousands of supporters of Ekrem Imamoglu gathered on Istanbul's Sarachane Square to mark the one-year anniversary of his arrest.
Indonesia and Turkiye Agree to Expand Civil Aviation Cooperation
26 Oktober 2025
Indonesia & Turkiye have agreed to expand their civil aviation cooperation by adding routes, capacity, and supporting connectivity, tourism, and trade
World Leaders Welcome Hamas' Response to Trump's Gaza Peace Plan
4 Oktober 2025
World leaders and the United Nations Secretary-General have welcomed Hamas' positive response to President Trump's peace proposal for Gaza.
Indonesian Gov't Defends Purchase of Fighter Jets from Turkiye Despite Budget Cuts
5 Agustus 2025
The Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that there is nothing wrong with the purchase of fighter jets despite the government's efforts to cut spending.
Turkish Jets Interfere with Israeli Strikes in Syria
4 Mei 2025
Israeli fighter jets attacking Syria were jammed by Turkey.
Prabowo's Turkish Parliament Speech Seen as Sign of Respect, Foreign Minister Says
25 April 2025
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had the opportunity to deliver a speech at the Turkish Parliament, focusing on the strengthening of bilateral solidarity.
Indonesia Responds to Turkiye's Disagreement with the Plan to Evacuate Gazans to Indonesia
22 April 2025
The Turkish and Saudi Arabian governments disagree with President Prabowo's plan to evacuate Gaza citizens who are victims of Israel's attack to Indonesia.
Nine Turkish Journalists Detained While Covering Arrest of Erdogan's Rival
24 Maret 2025
Turkish police have detained nine journalists who were covering the detention of Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Syrian Defence Ministry Says Operation Against Assad Loyalists is Over
10 Maret 2025
Clashes between Assad loyalists and the country's new Islamist rulers in the former president's coastal heartland have killed more than 1,000 people.
