Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: Israeli vehicles fire at eastern Gaza City.
Al-Qassam Brigades: We will hand over the body of one of the occupation prisoners that was exhumed today in the Gaza Strip at 9 pm Gaza time.
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: One martyr and one wounded in the initial toll of an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Al-Bayyad.
Local sources report that a car bomb explosion has targeted the General Security headquarters near the Baniyas Court in the Tartous countryside, western Syria
Israeli artillery strikes target Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: IOF arrest leader Jamal al-Tawil, who was liberated as part of the prisoner exchange, from his home in al-Bireh.
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.

Erdogan, Trump discuss Gaza war, defense ties amid policy rift

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Turkish Presidency
  • 3 Oct 2025 20:29
4 Min Read

Erdogan's call with Trump focused on reviving defense cooperation and addressing the war on Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • A military helicopter flies over as Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018.
    A military helicopter flies over as Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 (AP)

The Turkish presidency on Friday announced that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss bilateral relations and the situation in Gaza, a war that has sharply exposed policy rifts between Ankara and Washington, even as the two NATO allies seek to rebuild ties through defense and diplomacy.

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump today at the latter's request. During the conversation, bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States, as well as the situation in Gaza, were discussed," the presidency said in a statement.

Erdogan noted that his September 25 visit to Washington had helped revitalize relations after years of tension and called for expanded collaboration across key sectors, particularly defense. "It was important to take steps to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all areas, primarily in the defense industry," he said.

Uneasy Alliance

Related News

US cargo plane lands in Syria base as IOF escalate Quneitra breaches

Al-Quds Brigades target Israeli vehicle route in Jabaa town

During that visit, the two leaders discussed Turkey's reinstatement into the F-35 fighter jet program and upgrades to its F-16 fleet, long-standing points of contention following Ankara's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defense system. Trump reportedly signaled an openness to revisiting the issue, hinting at a possible easing of restrictions on joint defense production and technology transfers. The talks were widely seen as part of a broader reset between the two countries, which have clashed in recent years over Syria, energy policy, and NATO strategy.

But while the meeting underscored strategic convergence on defense, deep divisions remain over the Gaza war and US mediation efforts. Erdogan, who has accused "Israel" of committing genocide against Palestinians, has positioned Turkey as a leading voice in calls for accountability and an immediate ceasefire. Ankara has suspended trade with "Israel" and intensified diplomacy with regional actors, including Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, to push for a negotiated truce.

Contested Peace

The Trump administration, meanwhile, has rolled out a 20-point Gaza peace plan that includes provisions for a ceasefire, phased Israeli withdrawal, and, controversially, the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions. While Trump has framed the proposal as a pathway to stability, critics across the Arab world and in international law circles have condemned it as a coercive blueprint that strips Palestinians of agency and imposes conditions tantamount to political surrender. Reports have also surfaced suggesting that "Israel" exerted significant influence over the plan's drafting, shaping terms favorable to its long-term security goals.

Read more: 'Israel' helped draft Trump settlement plan for Gaza

"The Turkish President noted that Turkey is making intensive efforts to ensure peace in the entire region, primarily in the Gaza Strip, and welcomes initiatives aimed at achieving this goal," Erdogan's office said. Yet, Ankara's endorsement of peace efforts is tempered by skepticism over Washington's motives. Erdogan told Trump that ending "Israel's" attacks is a prerequisite for any credible process, stressing: "President Erdogan stressed that Turkey has accelerated diplomatic contacts in order to achieve peace, will continue to contribute to the global concept of peace, and that ending attacks by Israel is essential for the success of peace initiatives in the region."

In contrast, Trump has publicly pressured Hamas to accept his terms, even threatening escalation if the group fails to comply. This posture has fueled accusations that Washington's plan is less about fostering peace and more about neutralizing Palestinian resistance while entrenching Israeli dominance in Gaza.

  • Israel
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Turkiye
  • Gaza
  • defense cooperation
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bn defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tightens El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS