Türkiye, Iran Warn of Israel’s Efforts to Expand Conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
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Türkiye, Iran Warn of Israel’s Efforts to Expand Conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

Türkiye and Iran have warned that Israel's attempts to spark conflict in the region could lead to serious global consequences.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday Israel’s efforts to spread war should not be underestimated.

At a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul, Fidan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to create new fronts and drag Iran into the conflict.

Fidan warned that Israel plans to target vital infrastructure in Iran, especially in energy and oil, which could provoke a strong reaction from Tehran.

He stressed that the risk of war spreading throughout the region should not be underestimated, as it could have serious global consequences.

“Türkiye does not want war in our region,” he said during a meeting with Araghchi, where they discussed bilateral relations and regional threats.

Araghchi echoed these concerns, accusing Israel of sparking conflict through its attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

He called the escalation a serious threat.

“We are for peace, but we are prepared for any scenario,” affirmed the top Iranian diplomat.

He condemned Israel’s actions, saying the government does not respect boundaries in its war crimes and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

Araghchi also condemned the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, insisting that such actions will not deter the resistance. He appreciated Türkiye’s support for the Palestinian people and its opposition to Israel’s actions.

The Iranian minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with Türkiye.

“We see no limits to improving our relations with Türkiye,” he said, adding that both countries, with their rich histories, will enhance their friendship and cooperation.

In his discussions with Fidan, Araghchi focused on deepening collaboration in trade, joint investments, energy, counter-terrorism, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

He also mentioned the recent 3+3 regional cooperation meeting in Istanbul, which included the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

Araghchi described the meeting as constructive, emphasizing peace and stability in the region.

The ministers agreed that foreign powers complicate regional issues and stressed the need for joint efforts to boost economic development.

According to Iranian news agency Nour News, Araghchi stated that Iran believes a two-state solution will not achieve lasting peace, asserting that “the only solution is a single Palestinian state on Palestinian territory.”



Washington Mobilizes Allies in the Arctic

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to members of the media during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to members of the media during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)
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Washington Mobilizes Allies in the Arctic

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to members of the media during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to members of the media during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday stressed the need for investment in the Arctic while meeting with his counterparts from seven countries in the region, on the eve of signing a security agreement on Greenland.

"Allies agreed that Arctic security requires continued investment to safeguard this vital region and deter strategic competitors," State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said in a readout of the meeting.

"Discussions focused on taking greater responsibility for Arctic security by developing sovereign military and economic capabilities, ensuring investment security, and funding resilient critical infrastructure that ensures reliable access and supports our shared leadership in the Arctic."

The meeting convened top diplomats from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, at a New York hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Greenland, Denmark and the United States are due to sign an agreement regarding the Arctic at the UN on Tuesday, the office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Monday evening.

The agreement was announced Friday by US President Donald Trump, and has not yet been made publicly available.

But Frederiksen said it recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark, and the right of self-determination for Greenland's people.

Washington said the agreement paves the way to strengthen US military presence in Greenland while ensuring that China and Russia will not be able to establish bases or carry out sensitive investments there without consent.

Monday's discussions also touched on cooperation to develop a fleet of icebreakers between the US, Canada and Finland.

In October, the United States announced the purchase of 11 icebreakers from Finland for the US Coast Guard to add to its fleet of three aging ships.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said recently that Europe needs icebreakers to strengthen its presence in the Arctic, as global warming draws the interest of major powers to the region.

Vast natural resources are becoming increasingly accessible in the Arctic as ice melts and new maritime routes open up due to climate change.

China, Russia and the United States are reinforcing their presence in the strategic Arctic as a result.


UK Joins Call for Limiting UN Security Council Vetoes

11 September 2026, US, New York: A wide view of the UN Security Council chamber during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. (dpa)
11 September 2026, US, New York: A wide view of the UN Security Council chamber during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. (dpa)
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UK Joins Call for Limiting UN Security Council Vetoes

11 September 2026, US, New York: A wide view of the UN Security Council chamber during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. (dpa)
11 September 2026, US, New York: A wide view of the UN Security Council chamber during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. (dpa)

The United Kingdom has signed on to an initiative urging UN Security Council permanent members to withhold their vetoes on matters concerning mass atrocities, such as genocide, countries leading the push said Monday.

The initiative, first proposed by Mexico and France in 2015, now has a total of 128 countries behind it, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Mexican counterpart Roberto Velasco said in a joint statement.

It is now just one country shy of reaching a two-thirds threshold of UN member states.

The Security Council has been paralyzed on many issues in recent years amid deep divisions between the five veto-wielding permanent members: France, UK, Russia, China, and the United States.

"By supporting this political declaration, states are demonstrating their commitment to ensuring that the Security Council can fully exercise its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security," said Barrot and Velasco.

In May, a diplomatic source told AFP that France was hoping to reach the two-thirds majority before this year's UN General Assembly, which kicks off this week.

Even if adopted with a two-thirds majority, the resolution would be non-binding.

Officials nonetheless hope to make it more politically difficult for a permanent member to use its veto in cases of such dire emergencies.


US Treasury Chief Says Iran Airlines to Be ‘Shut Down’ Sept 23

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with the media after meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at JPMorgan Chase headquarters on September 20, 2026, in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with the media after meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at JPMorgan Chase headquarters on September 20, 2026, in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
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US Treasury Chief Says Iran Airlines to Be ‘Shut Down’ Sept 23

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with the media after meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at JPMorgan Chase headquarters on September 20, 2026, in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with the media after meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at JPMorgan Chase headquarters on September 20, 2026, in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Monday that Iranian airlines will have trouble functioning globally in two days under the weight of American sanctions, as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Tehran.

On September 23 "all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world," Bessent told CNBC in an interview as the war launched by the United States and Israel nears the seven-month mark.

"If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets or you will be knocked out of the dollar system," he added.

The move follows earlier US sanctions on Iran's aviation industry and Bessent's "economic D-Day" threat on Iran and pledge to choke off Tehran financially.

Two Iraqi sources told AFP on Monday that Baghdad would suspend flights by Iranian airlines following the US Treasury's announcement.

Also Monday, Georgia barred Iranian carriers from its land, while Iranian airline Mahan said it suspended service to Türkiye at the request of the Turkish government.

The United States and Iran have been at war since late February, when US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader and senior military officials at the start of a broad offensive.

Tehran countered by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for energy transit, causing global oil prices to surge as the conflict spread in the Middle East.

Earlier this month, the United States said it imposed sanctions on "all remaining Iranian airlines" that had yet to face such penalties.

The Treasury Department also took aim at targets for supporting Iran's aviation sector, including firms based outside Iran.

Iran's air space was completely shut after the US-Israel alliance launched attacks in late February. Since then, some travel has resumed but only for flights run by Iranian carriers.

Bessent's comments came a day after he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng for economic talks laying the groundwork for President Donald Trump's summit this Thursday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China is one of Iran's top economic partners and diplomatic backers.

Iran's aviation sector has long grappled with sanctions, which have restricted its ability to acquire aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.