"Caught in the crossfire: How the Iran-Israel war undermines Erdoğan's agenda" by Gonul Tol, The Middle East Institute
Turkey is already grappling with the consequences of chaos in Syria and Iraq, which have brought waves of refugees, cross-border threats, and economic strain. A destabilized Iran would magnify these problems just as Erdoğan faces mounting domestic pressures ahead of the 2028 elections.
With Erdogan struggling to contain Turkey's growing domestic crises and leaning heavily on foreign policy wins to shore up support, Ankara is desperate for the Israel-Iran war to end — and for the US to stay out of it. Turkey has tried to position itself as a mediator, but neither the Iranian nor Israeli leaderships see Ankara as credible or neutral enough to play that role effectively. For Erdoğan, the best hope lies with Trump stepping in to de-escalate the conflict. But with the American president continuing to post erratic, often contradictory messages online, Turkish officials remain on edge, uncertain about what comes next.
"Turkey Is the Biggest Winner of the Israel-Iran War" by Brandon J. Weichert, National Interest
To reclaim Turkey's historic dominion over the Middle East, Ankara must do away with its competitors. So while Turkey has sought stable relations with Iran, Erdogan most certainly does not want to see an ethnic Persian, Shi'a Muslim power in the ascendancy in the heart of the Middle East. Erdogan would much prefer Iran to be weak and divided. The United States and Israel appear poised to make this dream a reality.
"The Black Sea Has Become the Fulcrum of Europe's Security" by Dimitar Bechev, Carnegie Europe
The Black Sea is pivotal in Russia's war against Ukraine and the wider standoff between Moscow and the West. To counter the Russian threat in the region, the EU has adopted a new strategy, and Turkey is building up its capabilities.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's camaraderie with Erdoğan, Turkey has gained from Ukraine's success in curbing Russia's military might. The Turkish navy, which has been undergoing an ambitious modernization, has an edge over the Black Sea Fleet. Like Ukraine and probably in cooperation with it, Turkey will be developing naval drones and other capabilities to maintain a favorable balance of power. The fall of the regime of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has restored the Black Sea's role as a focal point in the complex Russia-Turkey dynamic, too. Turkey will be hedging between the West, Russia, and Ukraine, which has earned its place as a regional power the hard way.
"Turkey's economic alignment with Russia is a dangerous bet" by Martin Vladimirov, Reuters
For Turkey, the short-term economic upside of this relationship is clear: cheaper energy, boosted export revenues, and increased investment. Turkey has straddled the divide between its NATO allies and Russia fairly successfully since the Ukraine invasion and may be able to keep doing so, particularly now that the U.S. administration is unlikely to put pressure on Ankara to distance itself from Moscow.
But Europe appears intent on further reducing its own economic ties with Moscow. Russian economic entrenchment, therefore, now not only exposes Ankara to potential supply shocks, secondary sanctions, and loss of energy policy autonomy but also the risk of reputational damage within NATO and diminished prospects for EU accession or deeper integration into the European single market.
DEM Party Delegation Visits Ekrem Imamoglu, Other Political Prisoners in Silivri
A delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party visited Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and nine others currently held in Marmara Prison in Silivri on June 19.
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan said the delegation met with Imamoglu, along with several imprisoned mayors and members of parliament. According to Bakirhan, all the political prisoners they spoke with expressed strong support for the peace process and affirmed their willingness to contribute to its success.
In a written statement shared on X on June 21, Imamoglu said that peace and democracy cannot be achieved in Turkey while opposition parties are treated as enemies and the judiciary is used as a political tool.
Imamoglu emphasized that any future political steps must reflect the will of the people and be carried out transparently through the Turkish parliament—not through secret negotiations or backroom deals.
Lawyer for Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Arrested in Ongoing Criminal Organization Probe
The court arrested Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer representing Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, on June 19 as part of an investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The investigation was launched based on testimony from Adem Soytekin and Servet Yildirim. Both individuals testified under the effective repentance provisions and made allegations involving Pehlivan.
After completing procedures at the prosecutor's office, Pehlivan was referred to the court with a request for his arrest on charges of "being a member of an organization established to commit a crime." The court granted the request and ordered Pehlivan's arrest.
Mayor Imamoglu strongly criticized the arrest of his lawyer, Pehlivan. In a statement posted on social media, Imamoglu said, "You are afraid of my picture, you are afraid of my voice, you are afraid of my words, you are afraid of my name being mentioned... But I did not think that at some point you would be afraid of me defending myself — even of me using my right to defend myself."
Turkey's Main Opposition to Boycott Constitutional Reform Talks Backed by Erdogan Bloc
A senior figure from Turkey's main opposition party announced on June 18 that the party would boycott any parliamentary commission or talks on constitutional amendments initiated by parties aligned with President Erdogan.
Gokhan Gunaydin, deputy parliamentary group chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said the party would not participate in any discussions or nominate members to commissions proposed by the ruling AK Party or its far-right ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The move comes amid growing concerns that Erdogan may attempt to use constitutional changes to extend his rule beyond existing term limits.
CHP Leader Ozel Invites Muharrem Ince to Return to Party Ranks
Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has invited Muharrem Ince, head of the opposition Homeland Party (MP) and the CHP's former presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, to return to the CHP.
Ozel met with Ince on June 18 at MP headquarters in Ankara as part of a broader effort to foster unity among opposition parties. "We invite everyone back to the family home," Ozel said, referring to the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Ince welcomed the visit and said he would consult with his party's leadership before giving a formal response. He is expected to wear the party badge alongside his staff during the CHP Group Meeting scheduled in Parliament on June 24.
Victory Party Leader Ozdag Released After Sentencing for Inciting Hatred
Umit Ozdag, leader of Turkey's ultranationalist Victory Party, was released from Istanbul's Silivri Prison on June 17 after being sentenced to two years and four months in prison on charges of inciting hatred. His release came after 148 days of pretrial detention, with the court crediting time served.
The sentence was handed down during a hearing at the high-security Silivri courthouse. Despite the conviction, the court ordered Ozdag's immediate release and did not impose any probation conditions, such as a travel ban.
Ozdag still faces a separate trial on charges of insulting President Erdogan.
Turkey's Central Bank Holds Interest Rate Steady at 46% Amid Inflation Concerns
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) kept its key interest rate unchanged at 46 percent following its Monetary Policy Committee meeting on June 19, chaired by Governor Fatih Karahan.
In its official statement, the bank said it is closely monitoring the potential impact of geopolitical tensions and rising protectionist measures in global trade on the disinflation process.
The CBRT also noted that inflation expectations and ongoing pricing behaviours continue to pose significant risks to achieving sustained disinflation.
Turkey's Central Bank Reserves Rise by $3.4 Billion in One Week
According to the weekly money and banking data released by the Central Bank, Turkey's total reserves rose by $3.4 billion in the week ending June 13.
The Central Bank's gross foreign exchange reserves increased by $2.44 billion, reaching $72.74 billion. Gold reserves also climbed by $970 million, rising from $85.57 billion to $86.54 billion.
As a result, the Central Bank's total reserves grew from $155.88 billion to $159.29 billion in just one week.
CHP Deputy Slams Presidential Palace for Lavish Spending
CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut criticized the Presidential Palace for excessive spending, revealing that it spent 5.998 billion TL in the first five months of 2024—equivalent to roughly 39.7 million TL per day.
Referring to President Erdogan, Bulut noted that the Palace's daily expenses match the value of around 2,746 retirement pensions or 1,798 minimum wage salaries. "It is unacceptable for the Palace to resort to luxury and extravagance with the people's money," he said. "Instead of reigning with public funds, the Palace should allocate these resources to improve citizens' well-being."
Turkey Secures $740 Million in Financing from Islamic Development Bank for Earthquake Zone Projects
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has signed an agreement with Turkey's Ministry of Treasury and Finance to fund major investments in public hospitals and educational institutions in Istanbul's earthquake-prone areas.
Under the deal, the IDB will provide 500 million euros to the Istanbul Project Coordination Unit for reinforcing and rebuilding public hospitals. Additionally, the bank will allocate 165 million dollars to the Ministry of National Education to fund disaster-resistant and inclusive education projects in the region.
In total, Turkey will receive $740 million in long-term financing under favourable terms from the Islamic Development Bank to support these projects.
Erdogan Orders Boost in Missile Production Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Turkish President Erdogan has directed officials to ramp up the production of medium and long-range missiles, citing the ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran as a key motivator.
The announcement followed a nearly three-hour Cabinet meeting on June 16 at the presidential complex in Ankara, where Erdogan laid out the government's updated defense strategy. "We are making production plans to bring our medium and long-range missile stocks to a level of deterrence in light of recent developments," Erdogan said.
Company Closures Rise 12% in Turkey as New Business Registrations Decline
The number of companies shutting down in Turkey increased by 12 percent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) on June 20.
From January to May, 11,108 companies closed, up from 9,917 in the same period of 2024. Cooperative closures also rose by 5.1 percent to 332, while the number of closed sole proprietorships dropped by 9.5 percent to 6,774.
During the same timeframe, 44,896 new companies were established, marking a 2.6 percent decrease year-on-year. The number of newly formed cooperatives saw a sharp decline of 26.7 percent, while registrations for sole proprietorships increased by 16.1 percent.
Morocco to Review Trade Deal with Turkey Amid Growing Trade Deficit
Morocco plans to reassess its trade agreement with Turkey and seeks to attract increased Turkish investment to address its expanding trade deficit, primarily caused by rising Turkish fabric imports, two sources told Reuters.
Omar Hjira, Morocco's cabinet member responsible for trade, is scheduled to visit Turkey soon. As Morocco's sixth-largest trading partner, Turkey will be the focus of discussions on steps to reduce the $3 billion trade deficit, according to sources who attended a recent meeting with Hjira on June 17.
Police Seize $70 Million Worth of Californium Hidden in Shoe in Kutahya
Police in Kutahya stopped a vehicle on suspicion and discovered 7.15 grams of californium concealed inside a plastic container within a shoe. The rare and highly valuable element, used in nuclear energy, is considered the second most expensive substance in the world, with an estimated value of around $70 million. The driver, who claimed to have found the element on the road, was taken into custody and later arrested by the court.
Rights Groups Warn Turkey's ECtHR Defiance Threatens European Human Rights System
A coalition of international human rights organizations has warned that Turkey's ongoing refusal to comply with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has reached a critical point, endangering the integrity of the European human rights framework.
In a joint briefing submitted to EU institutions on June 17, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists, and the Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project accused Turkish authorities of systematically disregarding legally binding ECtHR judgments.
The briefing highlights that as of November 2024, Turkey accounted for 22,450 pending cases — 36.7 percent of the ECtHR's total caseload. By June 2024, 156 leading judgments and 375 repetitive cases remained unimplemented, making Turkey the worst performer among Council of Europe member states in terms of compliance.
The group urged the EU to impose concrete consequences for Turkey's non-compliance and to demand a clear, time-bound action plan to bring the country's judiciary in line with recommendations from the Venice Commission.
Journalist Fatih Altayli Arrested for 'Threatening the President' Over YouTube Comments
Authorities have launched an investigation into journalist Fatih Altayli on charges of "threatening the president" following remarks he made on his YouTube channel. Altayli was detained on June 21 after commenting on a public opinion poll during his program, which showed that 70 percent of respondents opposed President Erdogan remaining in office for life.
After giving his statement to the prosecutor, Altayli was referred to the court with a request for arrest. On June 22, the court ordered his arrest on the charge of threatening the president.
Four Journalists Arrested in Turkey on Charges of Membership in Illegal Organization
A Turkish court ordered the arrest of four journalists who were detained last week in Istanbul as part of an investigation initiated by prosecutors in the northeastern province of Artvin.
Freelance journalists Dicle Basturk, Yavuz Akengin, and Eylem Emel Yilmaz, along with Ozan Cirik of the independent news outlet Sendika.org, were arrested on June 17 on charges of "membership in an illegal organization."
Two others—Semra Pelek, a former member of the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), and Melisa Efe, a translator for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung—were released under judicial supervision.
42 Arrested in Izmir-Centered Operation Over Alleged Ties to Gulen Movement
In a coordinated police operation across six provinces, centered in Izmir, authorities detained 42 people on June 17 for alleged ties to the Gulen Movement. The Izmir Public Prosecutor's Office had issued arrest warrants for 45 people in total.
On June 20, 42 people—38 girls and 4 young men—were arrested. One of those arrested, Sueda Gungor, is the daughter of 72-year-old former university administrator Ibrahim Gungor, who remains imprisoned despite suffering from severe cognitive decline.
Prosecutors allege the group participated in religious gatherings, shared housing, and attended communal events like iftar dinners, claiming these were part of a banned organizational structure.
During questioning, students were asked about ordinary aspects of their lives, such as rental agreements, utility bills, participation in study groups, connections to other detainees, overseas travel, and subscriptions to publications.
Turkey Warns U.S. Strike on Iran Nuclear Sites Risks Global Conflict
Turkey issued a strong warning on June 22, stating that the United States' strike on Iran's nuclear facilities had dangerously increased the risk of a wider regional conflict.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, "The U.S. attack carried out today on Iran's nuclear facilities has elevated that risk to its highest level."
The ministry urged all parties to immediately halt attacks and return to diplomatic channels. "Current developments could escalate the regional conflict into a global one. We do not want to see this catastrophic scenario materialize," the statement added.
Erdogan Warns Israel-Iran War Nearing 'Point of No Return', Meets Iranian FM
Turkish President Erdogan warned on June 20 that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is rapidly approaching a "point of no return," with consequences that could spread far beyond the region.
"Unfortunately, the genocide in Gaza and the conflict with Iran are quickly reaching the point of no return. This madness must end as soon as possible," Erdogan said during an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) youth forum in Istanbul.
The following day, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan echoed Erdogan's concerns, accusing Israel of driving the region toward catastrophe. "Israel is now leading the region to the brink of total disaster by attacking Iran, our neighbour," Fidan said at the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Istanbul.
Speaking after Fidan, Erdogan sharply criticized Western governments for what he called "unconditional support" for Israel. He added that Turkey would not allow borders in the Middle East to be redrawn "in blood."
Erdogan met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the OIC Summit. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin were also present at the meeting.
According to a statement posted by the Turkish Communications Directorate on X, the two leaders discussed the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as broader regional and global developments.
Historic First Arab League Meeting Held in Turkey Marks New Chapter in Regional Relations
The Arab League held its first-ever meeting in Turkey on June 20 in Istanbul, just before the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) foreign ministers' summit. This landmark gathering signals a continuing thaw and growing rapprochement between Turkey and the Arab League after years of strained relations.
Turkey had also attended an Arab League meeting in Cairo last September for the first time in over a decade, marking the beginning of renewed engagement.
Disagreements over conflicts in Libya, Qatar's diplomatic rifts, and accusations of interference had kept the two sides at odds. However, recent diplomatic efforts reflect a commitment to rebuilding ties and fostering cooperation on shared regional challenges.
Turkey Boosts Border Security Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict
Turkey has stepped up security measures along its eastern border with Iran in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic, a source from the Turkish Defense Ministry told Reuters on June 19.
Despite growing fears of civilian displacement, the source noted that Ankara has not observed any irregular migration from Iran as a result of the conflict so far.
Turkey Denounces Israel's Accusations, Calls for Fair Trial for Netanyahu
Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding recent accusations made by Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on X, denouncing them as "baseless slanders and vile lies" targeting President Erdogan and the Turkish government.
In its official statement, the ministry said that the intense attention Israeli leaders are paying to Erdogan confirms the validity of Turkey's stance. It accused Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of committing crimes against humanity.
The ministry warned that once the protective "support and immunity" around Israeli leaders fades, Netanyahu and his allies will have to face justice. "We hope that Netanyahu and his collaborators will be tried fairly," the ministry concluded, reaffirming its call for adherence to international legal standards.
U.S. Warned Turkey Ahead of Israeli Strikes on Iran to Avoid Tensions
The United States informed Turkey of Israel's planned strikes on Iran just hours before they occurred, two sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye (MEE).
According to the report, Washington provided advance notice to Ankara to prevent possible tensions—particularly concerning the situation in Syria, where Turkish and Israeli interests have increasingly clashed due to Turkey's expanded presence in the region.
The early warning may have played a role in averting further strain between Turkey and Israel, whose relations remain fragile amid overlapping operations and rivalries in Syria, MEE noted.
Erdogan Meets Pashinyan, Expresses Support for Armenia's Peace Efforts with Azerbaijan
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Istanbul on June 20, expressing Turkey's support for Armenia's ongoing peace efforts with Azerbaijan, according to a statement from Erdogan's office.
During the rare bilateral meeting, the two leaders also discussed possible steps toward normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia. Pashinyan later said that he had an "in-depth exchange" with Erdogan. "We discussed the Armenia–Turkey normalization process, regional developments, and the importance of sustained dialogue," he wrote.
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