Turkish authorities seized an Iranian Caspian Airlines Boeing 737 at Istanbul Airport over an alleged unpaid debt of €3 million ($3.4 million), with bailiffs boarding the aircraft as passengers sat ready for departure. The seizure occurred days after new US secondary sanctions on Iran's aviation sector took effect.
The chiefs of staff of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey held talks in Riyadh on Friday to discuss enhanced military coordination, intelligence sharing and implementation of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The meeting comes amid escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Alibaba Group is accelerating its overseas data centre expansion with plans to launch facilities in Turkey, Finland and the Netherlands over the next 12 months. The Chinese tech giant is targeting more than 20 gigawatts of global data centre capacity by 2032 as it competes with Amazon and Alphabet in markets beyond Asia.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Ankara and Washington are developing creative solutions to lift US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems. The discussions represent a potential breakthrough in a longstanding dispute between the NATO allies.
Turkish authorities detained at least 47 people and raided offices of six LGBTQ+ associations in a sweeping operation dubbed 'My Family is Safe,' investigating allegations of prostitution and obscenity. The crackdown comes as President Erdogan promotes a 'Decade of Family and Population' initiative.
Pakistan delivered a Saudi warning to Iran to control its Yemeni Houthi allies after major attacks on Saudi Arabia wounded 73 people, as the newly formed Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey could be activated if attacks continue.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pardoned Egyptian opposition activist and poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison and fined 200,000 dirhams. The Egyptian-Turkish national had been extradited to the UAE under an arrest warrant from the Arab Interior Ministers Council.
Turkey announced it will request an Interpol red notice for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a domestic criminal case related to Israel's interception and detention of activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Netanyahu's office condemned the move as a "pathetic attempt to intimidate" Israeli leaders.
Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE and other regional powers condemned recent Israeli military strikes in Gaza and Israel's rejection of a US peace plan, urging compliance with ceasefire obligations as mediation efforts reach a critical stage.
Pirates hijacked the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel M/V LUTUF off Somalia's Puntland coast, taking its 10-member crew, including six Indian nationals and cargo of Turkish weapons and communications equipment toward the Nugaal coast.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Turkey against "dangerous adventures" in Syria following Israel's strike on the Abu Al-Duhur air base. Turkey condemned the attack and vowed continued military support for Damascus, raising tensions amid a NATO summit where President Trump praised U.S.-Turkey relations.
Syria warned that continued Israeli attacks on its territory fuel regional tensions following strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib province, approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish border. US envoy Tom Barrack called the strikes an "unnecessary escalation" and suggested creating a deconfliction mechanism.
Israeli airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria, prompting the United States to label the attack an "unnecessary escalation" and drawing condemnation from Turkey. Syria reported material damage but no casualties at the base near the Turkish border, marking Israel's first strike on Syrian government assets since March.
The United States issued a rare rebuke of Israel after airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Syria near the Turkish border. US envoy Tom Barrack called the attack an unnecessary escalation, while Syria and Turkey condemned the strikes that targeted runways and storage facilities but reportedly caused no casualties.
US Ambassador to Turkey and Syria envoy Tom Barrack criticized Israel for striking a Syrian airbase without warning Washington, saying US intelligence found no evidence supporting Israeli claims that Turkey was preparing to deploy forces there. The strike nearly triggered a confrontation between Israel and Turkey, both US allies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pivoting his re-election campaign to anti-Turkey rhetoric, including airstrikes on Turkish-linked targets in Syria and campaign billboards comparing NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Iranian and Hezbollah leaders. The shift comes as polls show Likud losing ground and after US pressure curtailed attacks on Iran and Lebanon.
Representatives of President Donald Trump, including senior adviser Jared Kushner and Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov, are holding talks in Cairo with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators to advance a U.S. Gaza peace plan. Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya is also traveling to Cairo for discussions with Egyptian intelligence amid the diplomatic push.
President Trump departed Turkey's NATO summit on a secondary military aircraft while the White House said he was aboard Air Force One, an extraordinary security operation prompted by an Iranian assassination threat. The ruse involved a catering truck to conceal the switch.
Turkey's parliament approved legislation establishing a legal framework for disbanding the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and offering conditional pardons to thousands of Kurdish militants, marking a major step toward ending a decades-long conflict that has killed tens of thousands. The law excludes jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, whose release remains a central demand of the group.
Austrian authorities dismantled an international network in which a Vienna-based company supplied equipment for Russian missile and fighter jet engines through shell companies across multiple countries, violating EU sanctions. The scheme used intermediaries in Turkey, UAE, Hong Kong, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Poland, Lithuania, and Spain to circumvent sanctions imposed in 2022.
Turkey has begun restricting commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea and called on Russia and Ukraine to impose a moratorium on attacks against vessels in the region, following a surge in drone strikes on civilian cargo ships, including Turkish-linked vessels, in early August 2026.
Turkey has begun restricting commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea and called on Russia and Ukraine to impose a moratorium on attacks against vessels in the region, following a surge in drone strikes on civilian cargo ships, including Turkish-linked vessels, in early August 2026.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces launched deadly missile and drone strikes on the city of Marib, killing at least 30 government soldiers and civilians, prompting UN warnings that Yemen is at its greatest risk of renewed major conflict since the 2022 ceasefire. The escalation comes as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a NATO-style mutual defense pact in response to regional threats.
The three nations signed the 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' establishing that an armed attack on one signatory would be considered an attack on all, as regional tensions intensify with the ongoing US-Iran war. Turkey clarified the pact does not contradict its NATO commitments.
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey released a joint declaration criticizing Israel's military campaign in Gaza, particularly attacks on healthcare facilities, and warning that continued strikes threaten peace implementation efforts.
Two Turkish-owned roll-on/roll-off cargo vessels were struck by drone attacks near Russia's Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea, leaving three crew members seriously injured. Turkey has called on both Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe navigation for commercial shipping in the region.
Turkey and Iraq have signed a one-year agreement to maintain operations of the Iraq-Turkey crude oil pipeline to Ceyhan port, with capacity for 750,000 barrels per day. The deal provides Baghdad with a critical northern export route as ongoing tensions continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has reached an agreement in principle to join Turkish club Besiktas on a contract running until 2027, with an option for an additional year. The deal, reportedly worth €12 million, is expected to be finalized and announced in the coming days.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each NATO leader attending the alliance's summit in Ankara with a Turkish-made Gumusay revolver and ammunition as parting gifts. The unexpected firearms created logistical and legal complications, with some leaders like Belgian PM Bart De Wever discovering the weapons in their luggage upon return, while UK PM Keir Starmer left his behind due to British gun laws.
President Donald Trump doubled down on his push for U.S. control of Greenland during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, threatening to undermine allies if they don't comply. Republican Representative Don Bacon publicly rebuked Trump's comments as 'foolish,' having previously suggested the president could face impeachment over any invasion attempt.
President Trump said he would remove Syria from the state sponsor of terrorism designation during a bilateral meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the NATO summit in Turkey, clearing the way for private-sector investment in Syria.
President Donald Trump announced the end of a ceasefire with Iran during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, while also meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syria's leader. Despite the controversial Iran declaration and threats to Spain, Trump praised the summit's 'tremendous unity.'
President Trump exhibited sharply contrasting behavior at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, publicly lambasting allied leaders over defense spending and threatening to leave the alliance, while privately reassuring them 'We want to remain with you' and later claiming to feel 'tremendous love' from western leaders.
President Donald Trump said at a NATO summit in Turkey that the United States will give Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense system interceptors, marking a significant shift in his approach to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump acknowledged he had not yet informed defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who produce the Patriot system.
President Donald Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey to attack Spain as a 'terrible partner,' renew demands for U.S. control of Greenland, and declare the Iran ceasefire 'over,' before surprising allies by praising the alliance's unity as he departed the meeting.
NATO leaders convened in Ankara for their annual summit amid escalating tensions, as Russian attacks on Ukraine killed seven people and U.S. President Donald Trump rejected proposals for new sanctions against Russia, highlighting divisions within the alliance.
President Donald Trump stated he will lift sanctions on Turkey and make a decision on selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara during a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a NATO summit. The move represents a significant policy shift despite concerns from Israel and questions about Turkey's S-400 missile defense system.
A wave of Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv, killing 19 people and heavily damaging apartment blocks and other buildings. The attack occurred on the eve of a NATO summit in Turkey and has highlighted widening gaps in Ukraine's air defence capabilities.
President Donald Trump is traveling to Ankara, Turkey, for the annual NATO summit this week, where he will focus on enforcing defense spending pledges that alliance members made at last year's summit in response to his demands.
NATO leaders gathered in Ankara, Turkey for a summit focused on demonstrating increased European defense spending commitments to President Donald Trump. Alliance members announced at least $50 billion in defense industry deals while Trump renewed demands for Greenland and weighed allowing Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv early Monday morning, killing at least 7-10 people and injuring dozens more with waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. The deadly assault came just hours before a critical NATO summit in Turkey that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to attend.
Turkish authorities detained more than 100 people, including protesters, journalists, academics and left-wing activists, in the days before Ankara hosts a major NATO summit. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian and Syrian leaders on the sidelines of the alliance gathering.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a lengthy phone call discussing Ukraine and potential peace negotiations, just as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for their summit. The call, in which Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker, comes amid uncertainty over how to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
President Donald Trump is attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week to enforce defense spending pledges secured last year, while also meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to push for an end to the Ukraine war. Trump has criticized the alliance as 'one-sided' and suggested the U.S. relationship with NATO is 'not reciprocal,' even as he shifts focus from financial contributions to demanding loyalty from allies.
NATO's deputy commander calls for increased defense spending and Ukraine support ahead of next month's Turkey summit, as President Trump renews threats to leave the alliance during a meeting with Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.
Australia secured a 2-0 victory over Turkey in their World Cup 2026 Group D match, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. The win marked Turkey's return to the World Cup after a 24-year absence and positioned Australia atop Group D alongside the USA.
The U.S. military carried out strikes against Iranian positions, including missile launch sites, even as President Trump announced that negotiations for an Iran deal are progressing. Trump is demanding that multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords as a condition of any agreement, drawing criticism from pro-Israel hawks and GOP lawmakers concerned about concessions to Iran.
Germany announced it will deploy a Patriot air defense battery and approximately 150 troops to Turkey under a NATO mission, replacing a US deployment and reinforcing the alliance's southeastern flank amid the Iran conflict.
Pakistani officials report a potential 'major breakthrough' in US-Iran talks over Iran's nuclear program, with Trump saying new negotiations could resume within days. Pakistan's army chief traveled to Tehran to facilitate discussions.
An 18-year-old former student opened fire at a high school in southeastern Turkey with a shotgun, wounding at least 16 people including students and teachers before killing himself. The attack occurred in the country's southeast region.
President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran less than two hours before his 8pm deadline, following last-minute mediation by Pakistan. The agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and suspending US bombing operations.
Pakistan has presented a 45-day ceasefire proposal to end the Iran war, though Iran has indicated reluctance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a temporary truce. Multiple mediators including Turkey and Egypt are involved.
Regional mediators are pushing a two-phase ceasefire deal starting with a 45-day truce between the US and Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the conflict. Both Iran and the US have received the draft proposal.
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt met in Islamabad to prepare diplomatic groundwork for de-escalation between the US and Iran, as Pakistan positions itself as a potential mediator in the month-long conflict.
President Donald Trump ordered an immediate end to all trade with NATO ally Spain during the alliance's summit in Ankara, Turkey, citing inadequate defense spending and Spain's blocking of US military bases for Iran bombing operations. US officials are compiling a list of Spanish goods for potential embargo, a move that would affect billions in bilateral trade despite EU rules requiring bloc-wide trade negotiations.
