28.03.2026 20:11
MIT President Ibrahim Kalın delivered important messages regarding Turkey's stance on regional crises during his speech at the STRATCOM SUMMIT 2026. Kalın emphasized, "As Turkey, we have never been, nor will we ever be, a party that fuels the fire of discord," highlighting that Turkey is not a provocateur but a balancing actor.
President of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) İbrahim Kalın, in his speech at the STRATCOM SUMMIT 2026, clearly articulated Turkey's approach to regional crises. Kalın emphasized that Turkey has never been, and will never be, a party that fuels the fire of discord, stating, "As Turkey, we have not been a party that adds fuel to the fire of discord, and we will not be," highlighting Turkey's policy of trying to prevent rather than escalate conflicts.
HE SPOKE AT THE 5TH SUMMIT
MIT President Kalın attended the 'STRATCOM SUMMIT 2026', which was organized for the 5th time this year by the Presidency of Communications. In addition to President Kalın, the President of Communications Burhanettin Duran and many invitees also participated. In his speech at the summit, Kalın made important statements.
"THE WORLD IS SHAKEN BY CRISES"
Kalın noted that the world has gone through many crises and breakdowns since the pandemic, stating that the Russia-Ukraine War has entered its 5th year and the effects of conflicts in the Middle East continue.
Kalın said, "Since the pandemic, our world has been going through many critical thresholds, crises, and breakdowns. The Russia-Ukraine War, which started in 2022, has now entered its 5th year. Unfortunately, there is still no clear picture of how the war will end. The effects of the war that started on October 7, 2023, in Israel with Hamas are still ongoing today. During this period, while our efforts to realize peace in Gaza continue, Israel's violations, occupation, and annexation policies continue without any interruption," he stated.
"REGIONAL WAR IS TURNING INTO A GLOBAL CRISIS"
Kalın pointed out that Israel's operations in Gaza and its policies in the region are ongoing, stating that the current war is spreading to a wider area.
Kalın said, "We are currently in the midst of the Israel-US-Iran War, which started on February 28 and has been ongoing for a month," drawing attention to the risk of this process evolving into a global crisis, and added, "On December 8, 2024, we continue to feel the effects of the Syrian revolution that took place in Syria throughout our region. The 12-day Israel-Iran War that occurred last June had a nature that tested and revealed the actual conditions of the war we are currently in. Right now, we are in the midst of the Israel-US-Iran War that started on February 28 and has been ongoing for a month. To prevent this war, to initially prevent its emergence, we have made a very intense effort under the leadership of our President, along with our Foreign Minister, our National Defense Minister, ourselves, our Presidency of Communications, and all our other relevant friends. Each time, expressing that a world system based on unpredictability, fragility, and arbitrary use of power will only produce new crises and wars, we have made intense efforts to prevent such conflicts and destructions," he said.
TURKEY'S PRIORITY: TO STOP THE WAR
Kalın emphasized that Turkey has been making intense diplomatic efforts during this process, stating that work is ongoing to end the war and keep Turkey out of this conflict. Kalın said, "We are continuing our efforts to prevent this war from spreading to the region and becoming more destructive," and added, "Today, in the midst of this war, within approximately a month, we have made intense efforts for one, to end this war, and two, to keep Turkey out of this war. Our efforts continue without interruption. As of today, we are intensifying our efforts to ensure that this war does not spread throughout the region, does not become more destructive, and does not cause permanent damage in the future. However, unfortunately, the regional war initiated by Israel is rapidly progressing towards becoming a global crisis and, as our President stated, a war that the 8 billion will pay the price for is becoming a tangible reality," he expressed.
"GROUND IS BEING PREPARED FOR BROTHERLY CONFLICT IN THE REGION"
Kalın drew attention to the fact that the war will have not only military but also sociological consequences, stating that ethnic and sectarian conflicts that could last for many years in the region are being sought to be triggered.
Pointing out that a permanent tension is being sought to be created among Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Persians, Kalın emphasized that this is a significant risk, saying: "Our primary effort will be to end this war as soon as possible. I must also express that with this great war, a great fire of discord is being ignited in our region. One of the calculated outcomes of this war is not only the elimination of Iran's nuclear capacity but, much more dangerously, the steps being taken to prepare the ground for a brotherly war, a blood feud that will last for decades among the founding original elements of the region: Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Persians," he said.
"WE WILL NOT ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE OF DISCORD"
Kalın, clearly stating Turkey's stance during this process, used the following words:
"I would like to express that we will fight to the end against these. As Turkey, we have never been a party that adds fuel to the fire of discord, and we will not be. If necessary, we will take the fireball in our hands, cool it on our chests, but we will never throw it into the fire of discord. We will continue to stand against those who try to spread the fire of discord with our own dynamics, values, leadership, and priorities. We act knowing who our friends and enemies are. I want to express once again that we will not deviate from this direction as Turkey," he stated.
EMPHASIS ON INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ISRAEL
Kalın stated that there is no basis in international law for attacks against Iran, indicating that new policies of occupation and annexation are being attempted in the region.
Highlighting the developments in Lebanon and Syria, Kalın expressed that these steps could lead to permanent crises, stating, "I don't even need to say that there is no basis in international law for the war against Iran. However, we know very well that those who initiated this war are not limited to Iran but are pursuing new policies of destruction, annexation, and occupation by creating de facto situations in the region with certain faits accomplis in Lebanon, Syria, Palestinian territories, and elsewhere. We see that the recent developments in Lebanon are an attempt to create a de facto situation similar to what happened in the Golan Heights in 1974 and to turn this into a policy of destruction, annexation, and occupation. We are intensifying our efforts to prevent this," he said.
GULF WARNING AND CALL FOR DIPLOMACY
MIT President Kalın addressed the risks of the war spreading to the Gulf region, stating that attacks against Iran are wrong, and attacks against the Gulf are not a solution either.
Kalın expressed that Turkey continues its contacts with regional countries, emphasizing that the solution lies in diplomacy and negotiation.
I want to express that as Turkey, we will not allow the fundamental rights of Palestinians to be taken away through a fait accompli, not only in Lebanon but also in the Palestinian territories, and that we will not turn a blind eye to the violations occurring in Gaza and the West Bank. As a result of the developments in the war that has started successively and triggered one another, today the war has spread beyond Iran to the entire Gulf region. Of course, we need to state that just as the attacks on Iran are wrong, the attacks on the Gulf regions do not serve any purpose either. In all our discussions and consultations with our friendly and brotherly countries in the Gulf, we emphasize that we need to act with a perspective based on the region's own dynamics to end this war as soon as possible. On this occasion, I pray to Allah for all our brothers who have lost their lives in this war, both in Iran and throughout the region. I want to express that we will continue to make every effort to ensure that such pains are not experienced again.
"A NEGOTIATION GROUND MUST BE ESTABLISHED"
Kalın stated that efforts are being made to establish a negotiation ground through diplomatic initiatives led by President Erdoğan. He expressed that they also support Pakistan's mediation efforts, saying, "Of course, the attacks by Iran on the Gulf countries are unacceptable, but we must never forget who the main actor that started the war is. For this, we need to increase the pressure on Israel and focus on the actor that initiated the war to prevent this war from turning into a regional war and a global crisis. We have been making a very intense effort for days under the leadership of our President, with the initiatives of our Foreign Minister and ourselves, to establish a negotiation table. We are asked every day, 'Will there be a meeting, will there be negotiations, will a table be set up?' We fully support the helping hand and initiative extended by our Pakistani brothers in this regard. A ground needs to be established for these discussions to take place. I have no doubt that our Pakistani brothers will carry out a competent job in this matter," he stated.
"TURKEY IS STRENGTHENING ITS SECURITY WALL"
At the end of his speech, Kalın emphasized that Turkey is taking strategic steps for its own security, stating that lessons have been learned from the developments in the region and that the country's security capacity has been increased. Kalın concluded his remarks as follows: "Just as before the war, since the war began, we see that Israel, which has sabotaged every attempt for a negotiation, dialogue, and communication channel, is making a concentrated effort to undermine these initiatives with the attacks it has carried out in the last two days. As I have previously stated, we will continue to make every effort to end this war without interruption, day and night. After the war, we will have to work to establish a security architecture in our region based on our own dynamics to quickly recover from the permanent damage and to prevent permanent damage from occurring. While managing this process, we are drawing important lessons for our country's security, strategic positioning, and regional perspective, together with all our relevant institutions under the leadership of our President. As a result of these lessons, we are strengthening our security wall and trying to enhance our resilience. Please allow me to state that we are taking some strategic steps in this direction."