Foreign ministers from eight countries met in Istanbul on Oct. 23 as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said participants favored diplomacy on Iran, while a U.S. envoy said an attack could occur that weekend.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said the gathering included ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. Fidan said military intervention was not a solution and cautioned that another attack on Iran could spread conflict across the region. The written joint statement, however, was issued by the four R4 members, not all eight countries.
Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia make up the R4. Their statement called for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and backed continued efforts toward a lasting negotiated settlement. It also urged a full restoration of safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The R4 statement warned that interruptions at sea could disrupt trade networks and the movement of energy, fertilizer and food, with consequences for vulnerable communities in and beyond the region. It gave no estimate of the economic impact. AFP and The National reported that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned further escalation could affect hydrocarbon prices.
U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack discussed the possibility of an attack in an interview posted by Mario Nawfal on X. Barrack said a strike could happen that weekend. President Donald Trump later told reporters he did not know about the possibility, The Times of Israel and Mediaite reported. Neither comment confirmed that an attack had been authorized.
Pakistan’s government said the ministers agreed to continue engagement in the same format, but gave no date for another meeting. The R4 statement also referred to an “Islamabad MoU” without explaining its terms.
