Trump: I Asked Erdogan Not to Enter the War with Iran

Disclosure of Details from the Trump-Erdogan Call

As military tensions in the region reached their peak, Donald Trump revealed new details of his behind-the-scenes diplomacy with Ankara on Wednesday at the White House during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was one of the primary candidates to enter the war against Iran [1]. Referring to Erdogan's sharp stance against Israel, he stated that Turkey had the potential to enter the conflict even on the opposite side (alongside Iran) [2].

Trump said regarding this: "He (Erdogan) was the main candidate to enter the war with Iran, maybe even on Iran's side, because he is not a big fan of Israel. But I asked him not to enter the war and he agreed not to enter" [5]. These statements indicate the depth of Trump's personal influence on Ankara's strategic decisions amidst the crises of 2026.

Reward for Neutrality; Turkey's Return to the F-35 Project

One of the most significant parts of Trump's remarks was the mention of a potential reward for this neutrality. In response to journalists' questions about the sale of advanced military equipment, Trump issued positive signals for the transfer of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets and jet engines to Turkey [3]. He emphasized that Turkey is a powerful member of NATO and possesses a massive defense infrastructure with over 3,000 active companies.

Vice President JD Vance also confirmed that the administration is reviewing the necessary legal approvals to finalize this deal to ensure Turkey complies with United States laws. Praising Turkey's military strength, Trump called Erdogan a "respected leader and a close friend" who has always responded positively to his requests [4].

NATO Summit in Ankara and Regional Crises

The US President also confirmed that, out of respect for Erdogan, he will participate in the upcoming NATO summit scheduled to be held in Ankara next month. He stated: "If it weren't for Erdogan personally, I might not have attended this summit" [3]. This trip takes place while the region is still affected by the consequences of the war with Iran and tragedies such as the Minab school incident, which resulted in the deaths of 168 students.

Analysts believe that Trump's approach is an attempt to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and ensure that Turkey does not fully pivot toward eastern blocs amidst ongoing conflicts with Iran. However, Trump's claims of controlling Turkey's military behavior have sparked mixed reactions in political circles in Ankara and Tel Aviv.