Middle East Monitor / April 14, 2026
Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan said Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy, amid rising regional tensions.
Speaking during a meeting with editors at the Anadolu Agency headquarters, Fidan stated that Israel “cannot live without an enemy after Iran,” in reference to ongoing geopolitical developments.
The Turkish minister’s statements come amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Turkey and its President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following Ankara’s announcement of an indictment against 35 Israelis — including Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges including genocide — suspected of targeting the Global Flotilla as it attempted to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In his remarks, Fidan said that his country believes it is inappropriate for countries to intervene to open the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the movement of people through the Strait of Hormuz should not be obstructed and that no country should pay fees for passage.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of establishing a security alliance in the region to bolster trust among its countries.
Iran had announced its intention to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while US President Donald Trump declared that his country would impose a blockade on Iranian ports starting today.
Commenting on the escalation in the region, Fidan stated that what Lebanon is witnessing is part of Israel’s expansionist policies, warning that the crisis there could escalate into a regional conflict.
He noted that following the announcement of a two-week truce between the United States and Iran, it was understood that the agreement included Lebanon, adding: “Netanyahu sabotaged it as usual, and America remained silent about it.”
