Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has proposed a new regional security alliance spanning from Pakistan to the Gulf, stating Israel could eventually join if it recognises an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
In an interview with Japan’s Nikkei Asia, Fidan outlined his vision for a Middle East security architecture involving Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Gulf countries. He described the proposed alliance as a historic opportunity for regional states, urging members to commit to protecting each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and security.
Fidan said the framework could bring together countries stretching from Pakistan to the Persian Gulf under a common mechanism for cooperation and collective stability. Iran could also become part of the arrangement in future if conditions normalise, he added.
Addressing Israel’s potential role, Fidan said its participation would depend on resolving the Palestinian issue. He stated that if Israel agreed to a solution to the Palestinian question, regional countries could play an important role in guaranteeing Israel’s security.
Fidan’s remarks came amid reports of US President Donald Trump encouraging Turkey and other Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords, launched during his first term to normalise relations between Israel and several Arab states. He noted that Turkey and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 1949 with nearly $10 billion in bilateral trade before the Gaza conflict.
However, Ankara suspended trade ties following Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Fidan said relations could improve if Israel halted attacks on Palestinians and removed obstacles to the delivery of food, shelter, medicine and water to Gaza residents.
He reiterated Turkey’s support for a two-state solution and said normalisation would be possible if those conditions were met. He also criticised comments by some Israeli politicians portraying Turkey as a regional rival, arguing that Israeli domestic politics often require the creation of external threats to justify military policies.
Fidan urged the international community to prevent what he called Israel’s expansionist policies, warning they threaten not only regional stability but also the broader international order. He stressed that a just resolution of the Palestinian issue and progress toward a two-state solution remain essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.