Trump's Controversial Claim in Ankara: "If It Weren't for Me, Turkey Would Have Entered a War with Iran"

Trump's Blunt Remarks in the Heart of Ankara

During the 36th NATO Summit being held today, July 8, 2026, in Ankara, Donald Trump once again dominated global headlines with his statements. According to reports from Turkish media, including "Haber 7," Trump told reporters that if it were not for his influence and policies, Turkey might have become directly involved in a war with Iran [1]. Referring to Turkey's military power and its million-man army, he emphasized that his close relationship with Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been the primary factor for stability on this front.

Trump stated: "Turkey is a great military power. They could have gone to war, but they didn't because of me." These remarks come as regional tensions have reached a peak after months of conflict between US-Israeli forces and Iran [3].

End of Ceasefire and Failure of Negotiations with Tehran

Another part of Trump's speech was dedicated to the collapse of the temporary peace memorandum with Iran. The US President officially announced that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran "is over" [2]. In a harsh tone, he called Iranian leaders "liars" and claimed he no longer has any desire to negotiate with them. This sharp stance follows recent missile attacks on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz [4].

Trump added that while American negotiators could continue talks, he personally considers it a "waste of time." These words immediately caused oil prices to rise in global markets and led to a drop in international stock indices [4].

A Complex Game with Erdogan and Netanyahu

Reports indicate that Trump also emphasized in private meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he prevented Erdogan from joining the opposing front [3]. Trump claimed that despite Erdogan's opposition to Israeli policies, he managed to convince the Turkish President to avoid direct conflict.

Meanwhile, the issue of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey was raised once again. In Ankara, Trump hinted that Turkey deserves this equipment due to being "more loyal" than some European NATO allies; a matter that has faced strong opposition from Israeli officials [3].

NATO at a Deadlock; Criticism of European Allies

The US President also criticized European NATO member countries for failing to provide sufficient support for his strategies regarding Iran. He claimed that countries like France, Germany, and Italy rejected his requests for cooperation in the war with Iran [2]. Trump said sarcastically: "We spend hundreds of billions of dollars, but when we need them, they are not by our side." These words have further strained the atmosphere of the NATO summit in Ankara.