Published on 6/25/2026
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Last update: 07:51 (Mecca time)
US President Donald Trump revealed that Turkey was a candidate to join the war alongside Iran, pointing out his intention to participate in the upcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara “out of respect” for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Trump explained that the possibility of Erdogan participating in the war was possible, “perhaps on the side of Iran because he is not a supporter of Israel,” before Trump personally intervened and asked Erdogan to stay out of the confrontation, stressing that the Turkish president responded to that.
Trump also said – yesterday, Wednesday – that he “will probably do something” that satisfies Turkey, in response to a question about whether he would respond to Ankara’s desire to obtain F-35 fighter planes and the jet engines needed for its home-made fighter planes.
Trump added that Erdogan is a “dear friend” and has strong leadership and a large army, noting that he is “a strong man who loves his country and does a wonderful job.”
NATO summit in Ankara
Trump explained his intention to participate in the NATO summit scheduled in the Turkish capital on July 7 and 8, 2026, pointing out that his decision comes “out of respect for President Erdogan,” adding: “If the summit had not been held in Turkey – and at his (Erdogan’s) invitation – I would not have attended it.”
Trump’s statements came during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, ahead of an alliance summit hosted by Ankara in light of escalating security and regional challenges.
For his part, Rutte praised – during his meeting with Trump – the role of the American president during the war with Iran, considering that this war contributed to weakening Tehran’s capabilities. He also defended support for European allies, stressing that about 5,000 American military aircraft took off from European bases during military operations.
