ANKARA DAILY - 13 MARCH 2026
Erdoğan Meets UN Chief, German FM On Iran War; Turkey Confirms Ballistic Missile Intercept At Incirlik; Central Bank Holds Rate At 37 Percent Citing Conflict
Sirens Sound at İncirlik Air Base After Ballistic Missile Intercept
Turkish air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile reportedly aimed at İncirlik Air Base, a key NATO and US military facility in southern Turkey. MoD emphasized Turkish ownership and command of the base amid questions about why Russian-made S-400 systems were not used in the interception.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Pursues Intensive Diplomacy to Prevent Iran War Escalation
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey is pursuing intensive diplomacy to prevent escalation of the Iran-centered spiral of violence. He met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul as Turkey positions itself as mediator.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Warns Against Iran Regime Change, Calls for Territorial Integrity
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned there should be "no questioning of Iran's territorial integrity and no pursuit of regime change," saying efforts to incite civil war in Iran would be opposed by Turkey. Fidan urged Israel halt attacks on Lebanon "before it collapses."
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met UN Secretary-General António Guterres and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on March 13 as Ankara pursues "intensive diplomacy" to prevent escalation of the Iran-centered war, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterating Turkey opposes regime change in Tehran and any questioning of Iran's territorial integrity. Turkish air defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile reportedly aimed at Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey on March 13, according to Kurdistan 24, prompting sirens at the key NATO facility. The Central Bank (TCMB) held its policy rate at 37 percent on March 12 for the second consecutive decision, explicitly citing geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy prices driven by the Iran war as factors clouding the inflation outlook, as Brent crude remains above $100 per barrel. Turkey's Ministry of National Defense (MoD) said March 12 that its air defense system "automatically" selected the "fastest and most suitable" interceptor to engage Iranian missiles earlier this month, addressing public scrutiny over why the Russian-made S-400 system was not deployed. END SUMMARY.
