ANKARA – Turkey’s spy agency served as a crucial diplomatic intermediary in negotiations that resulted in a two-week halt to hostilities between the United States and Iran, according to reports from Turkish news outlets citing security officials.
The temporary truce, which Washington accepted late Tuesday evening, was officially facilitated through Pakistani mediation efforts. The broader conflict has extended throughout the Middle Eastern region and caused significant disruptions to worldwide energy markets.
According to Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT, the country’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) maintained unique positioning as one of the limited entities capable of sustaining direct communications with both Western nations and neighboring Iran, including contact with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The intelligence service worked to preserve diplomatic communication pathways, avoid potential miscommunications, transmit messages focused on reducing tensions, offered suggestions to prevent additional escalation, and collaborated with various international intelligence agencies, the report indicated.
MIT officials could not be reached immediately to provide commentary on these claims.
Although Pakistan spearheaded the mediation process, Iranian officials have acknowledged Turkey’s involvement after the country initially attempted to facilitate direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran before hostilities commenced in late February. A diplomatic source stationed in Turkey confirmed separately that Ankara provided assistance during recent negotiation periods.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, leading a nation that serves as both a NATO partner to the United States and shares a geographical boundary with Iran, expressed approval for the ceasefire agreement on Wednesday. He urged complete adherence to the truce terms and cautioned against any provocative actions or attempts at undermining the agreement.
