Türkiye FM Says Iran, US 'Sincere' about Ceasefire, Israel Seeks to Declare Türkiye ‘New Enemy'

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Doha on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Doha on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
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Türkiye FM Says Iran, US 'Sincere' about Ceasefire, Israel Seeks to Declare Türkiye ‘New Enemy'

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Doha on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Doha on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)

Türkiye's foreign minister said on Monday he believed both Iran and the United States remain "sincere" about reaching a ceasefire despite the failure of Pakistan-mediated talks on the weekend. 

He also stated that Israel "cannot live without an enemy" and its government is now trying to portray Türkiye as one. 

US President Donald Trump has blamed the Iranian republic's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions for the collapse of the talks, AFP said. 

"Both sides are sincere about the ceasefire," Hakan Fidan said in an interview with the official Anadolu news agency, adding that he has been in contact with the parties involved in the negotiations. 

"I am thinking that if the nuclear issue comes down to an all-or-nothing situation especially regarding enrichment, we might face serious obstacles," Fidan said. 

"Hopefully, we will try to overcome this with the support of some mediators," he added. 

Türkiye, while a fierce critic of Israel, joined diplomatic efforts with Egypt and Pakistan to reach a ceasefire in the conflict. 

Fidan continued to say that Israel "cannot live without an enemy" and its government is now trying to portray his country as one. 

Tensions between Türkiye and Israel have steadily escalated since the Gaza war erupted following Hamas's October 7, 2023, cross-border attack in Israel. 

The dispute entered a new phase over the weekend after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned his US counterpart Donald Trump of "possible provocations and sabotage" that could jeopardize an initial ceasefire arrangement in the US-Israeli war on Iran. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Saturday that Israel would continue to confront Tehran and its regional allies. 

"After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy," Fidan said in a televised interview with the state-run Anadolu news agency. 

"We see that not only Netanyahu's administration but also some figures in the opposition -- though not all -- are seeking to declare Türkiye the new enemy," he said. 

"This is a new development in Israel... turning into a state strategy," he added.



2nd Passenger Train Derails in England in 2 Days

14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
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2nd Passenger Train Derails in England in 2 Days

14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa

A passenger train derailed near London on Friday, British Transport Police said, the second derailment in two days after two people were seriously injured when another train came off the tracks on Thursday.

Police said officers, paramedics and firefighters were at the scene near Wickford train station in Essex, about 30 miles east of London (48 kilometers), after receiving reports that the rear carriages of a train derailed. The carriages were in an “upright position," police said, and no injuries were reported.

National Rail said officials were working to understand what happened, and major disruptions to train services were expected through Friday afternoon.

The incident came less than 24 hours after a train from London to Eastbourne went off the tracks outside the southern English town of Lewes. Three carriages overturned, seriously injuring two people and causing minor injuries for 18 others.

All passengers were evacuated within about three hours, The Associated Press quoted the transport police as saying.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.


World Bank Says it Disbursed $200 Million to Colombia for Quake Response

Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
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World Bank Says it Disbursed $200 Million to Colombia for Quake Response

Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)

The World Bank on Friday said it had disbursed $200 million to Colombia for its emergency response to a deadly August 10 earthquake that left hundreds dead.

The multilateral development bank said it was working with the Colombian government and development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to address immediate needs, while laying the foundations for recovery, Reuters reported.

The bank said it had also launched a Global Rapid Assessment of Damages from Earthquakes (GRADE) to provide the Colombian government with an early assessment of damages and economic losses to help Bogota prioritize aid and reconstruction efforts.

Efforts were underway to channel financing to affected communities and businesses, including support for public health, housing, and small and medium-sized enterprises, the bank said.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, toppling apartment blocks and damaging homes, schools and hospitals across western Colombia.

Authorities on Friday said that 285 people had been killed and nearly 4,000 injured. Nearly 400 others were still missing.

 

 

 


Pentagon Signs Deals with Boeing, RTX to Boost Missile Interceptor Component Production

Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
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Pentagon Signs Deals with Boeing, RTX to Boost Missile Interceptor Component Production

Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)

The Pentagon on Friday announced framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to increase production of components of SM-3 Block IIA and SM-3 Block IB munitions, Reuters reported.

Both agreements will strengthen production of a series of critical ship-fired surface-to-air interceptors that underpin the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the Pentagon said in a statement.