Turkey Hosts Urgent Talks Between Iran, Egypt and EU; Lebanon Offers to Disarm Hezbollah in Exchange for Ceasefire
Turkey's foreign minister held urgent meetings with counterparts from Iran, Egypt and the EU as Lebanon's president offered to disarm Hezbollah in exchange for a ceasefire and direct negotiations with Israel.
Sercan Roni
Turkey emerged as a key diplomatic hub on Sunday as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held back-to-back meetings with the foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and unspecified US officials, Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. The flurry of meetings reflected growing international urgency to find an off-ramp to a conflict now in its 23rd day with no ceasefire in sight.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun made a significant diplomatic overture during the same period, offering to disarm Hezbollah and engage in direct negotiations with Israel if a ceasefire could be reached. The offer represents a remarkable shift in Lebanon's political stance, though Israeli officials have not formally responded to the proposal. Aoun simultaneously condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese bridges as "unjustified," warning they appeared to be "a prelude to a ground invasion."
Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned an Israeli attack on military facilities in southern Syria, calling it a "flagrant violation of sovereignty and international law." Qatar, which hosts the US Al Udeid Air Base and has been under Iranian attack during the war, has positioned itself as a potential mediator while walking a difficult diplomatic line.
The 22-nation statement on protecting the Strait of Hormuz gained new signatories over the weekend, including the UAE and Australia, though the practical shape of any maritime protection effort remains undefined. Gulf states that were reluctant to join the coalition weeks ago are now more openly considering participation following sustained Iranian attacks on their territory and energy infrastructure.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke by phone on Sunday about the conflict, agreeing to coordinate European diplomatic efforts. Both leaders have called for direct US-Iran talks, a position Trump has publicly rejected. Iranian leaders have continued to deny that they are seeking a deal, contradicting Trump's repeated claims to the contrary.
