Di call for change of regime for Iran go fit cause 'dangerous scenario' for dis region: Fidan

Turkey Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan talk say United States suppose limit dia campaign against Iran to only neutralize Iran military ability, and he warn say any move wey go aim regime change go carry serious risk come the region.

For interview wey e give TRT Haber on Tuesday, Fidan talk say two main options dey shape how the war fit go. 'The first na professional military assessment wey focus on removing Iran military capability, with the view say operations go continue until the objective reach,' e talk. 'The second na the perspective wey dey work for regime change through military violence.'

E add say to move toward the second option — regime change — mean to bring different kind scenario and big risk come the region.

Fidan warn say how long e go last, the scope and the secondary effects of the conflict go differ sharply depending on which objective dem prioritize. E tok say Ankara want make Washington remain focused on the initial military objective, and no expand the campaign into wide political transformation agenda.

At the same time, e suggest say diplomatic space fit still dey. Fidan say developments for Iran leadership fit create opportunity to stop the war.

'Maybe e get chance to restart negotiations from here,' e talk, and add say new leadership for Tehran fit take more flexible stance. 'I believe say that new leadership fit represent opportunity to stop the war.'

Regional concerns

Fidan also warn say Iran strategy for this ongoing conflict fit drag the wider region into fighting, and he accuse Tehran of targeting Gulf energy infrastructure to use as leverage.

E say the Middle East dey go through 'very critical days', and stress say the effects of the conflict no stop for Iran border alone.

'The impact of this war no limited to Iran only. As we don expect, e dey spread across the region,' e talk.

Fidan argue say Tehran dey operate under doctrine wey be escalate tension when e face existential threat. 'We dey see strategy wey be

E add say many Gulf countries don work hard to prevent the war from starting, and that an hour before the attacks begin, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar still dey try stop the conflict.

Despite these efforts, Fidan describe Iran decision to attack countries like Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Jordan as a 'very wrong strategy', especially because some of these countries kept neutral and refuse to open their airspace or bases to attacking forces.

Call for coordinated diplomacy

Fidan say regional and international actors don consult closely, and dem dey often ask Turkey to give assessment on how to move forward.

'Our position clear,' e talk. 'We must do everything to prevent this region from sliding further because of this war.'

E insist say a clear message must go Washington. 'At this stage, the actor wey fit stop Israel na the United States,' Fidan talk, and e add say Gulf countries, Turkey and European countries be among those wey go feel direct impact if tensions escalate more.

According to Fidan, these countries dey involved in intensive talks and Turkey dey at the centre of that diplomatic traffic. 'Plenty exchange of views dey among these countries, and we dey right in the middle of the discussions,' e talk, stressing Ankara efforts to coordinate a collective approach to contain the conflict.

'Israel applying heavy pressure'

Fidan say the negotiations suppose to be formally ended by the US if dem fail, rather than be overtaken by military action. E also mention the time pressure on Washington because of troop deployments and what e call 'very large pressure' from Israel.

'I believe say if Iran read better the pressure of decisions wey President Trump face and put something on the table earlier, the Israeli pressure maybe no go that effective,' e talk.

Intensive diplomacy to prevent war

The foreign minister also reveal details of intense diplomacy wey happen in January, where e say war nearly burst out.

E describe the 27 January phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump as 'historic', which happen when Washington nearly decide on military action.

Three days later, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi receive warm welcome for Istanbul, where Turkey propose new framework for talks. According to Fidan, Washington try to push four main issues at the same time in negotiations with Tehran. Ankara suggest make the agenda into parts, with two issues to be handled directly between the US and Iran, and the other two discussed with regional countries.

E say US respond positively to that proposal and show readiness to proceed. Iran however return to im original position after internal discussions.

Fidan say this diplomatic push delay the potential outbreak of war for some weeks. The talks continue for Oman and later for Geneva at the end of February, but by 28 February the conflict don start.

On Saturday, Israel and the US launch airstrikes wey kill Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 786 oda people, including plenty female school students. Tehran retaliate with drone and missile attacks wey target sites related to the US for Gulf countries, causing multiple deaths. Six US service members don die and many oda people injury.