Fidan: Israel Lacks Capability to Eliminate Iran’s Nuclear Capacity
Turkey's FM Fidan: Israel lacks capacity to fully destroy Iran's nuclear program, urges US-Iran deal for lasting solution. Reveals unprecedented pre-strike notifications between foes. Offers mediation as Oman talks may resume, stresses Turkey's readiness for worst-case scenarios.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday stated that Israel does not possess the military capacity to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing that a sustainable resolution now requires a formal agreement between Tehran and Washington.
Speaking to A Haber about the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, Fidan said, “Israel’s strike on Iran pushed Tehran into the realm of legitimate self-defense. Netanyahu has shown he is willing to set the region ablaze for his own political survival.”
Nuclear program not fully dismantled
Fidan noted that while Israel, supported by the United States, inflicted damage on Iranian nuclear sites, the assumption that Iran’s nuclear capability has been eradicated is premature. “This war, for now, has reached a halt after 12 days, but a deal has been made based on the assumption that Iran’s nuclear capacity has been neutralized. At present, there is a period of silence, but this must evolve into a more permanent framework through an agreement between Iran and the US.”
He further clarified, “Israel is not strong enough to completely destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.”
US-Iran dialogue possible amid strategic restraint
The Turkish foreign minister confirmed that on the night of Israel’s attack, he received a call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Certain issues were discussed. The Americans expressed their concern for security and insisted they had no role in the Israeli operation. They urged Iran to refrain from retaliating.”
Fidan revealed that Turkish officials had also spoken with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about the possibility of US airstrikes. The strikes were later carried out, targeting three Iranian nuclear sites. “Remarkably, both Iran and the United States notified each other prior to their attacks—an extraordinary occurrence in the history of warfare,” he noted.
“This was not a war waged blindly. The message conveyed was: ‘I am striking due to certain obligations, but I do not seek a broader conflict.’”
Türkiye offers to mediate as Oman process resurfaces
Fidan said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had relayed a message to both sides, affirming that Türkiye is ready to play any role required. He pointed to renewed interest in the Oman-mediated process and said Ankara had proposed several ideas that could bridge the divide and unfold over time.
“There is talk that the process activated in Oman may resume. Iran and the US could meet at some point,” Fidan said. “The Americans demand zero uranium enrichment in Iran, while Tehran defends its right to peaceful nuclear development.”
‘We are not afraid of death’ – national resilience underlined
Reassuring the public, Fidan stressed that Türkiye’s institutions are working tirelessly to safeguard the country’s security. “We defend our country with both reason and heart. We are not afraid of death, and nothing can intimidate us.”
He concluded, “What matters is analyzing threats correctly, maintaining rational dialogue with other actors, and managing the situation wisely. We must always be prepared for the worst-case scenario—state affairs are no laughing matter.”
