Turkish National Security Council meets amid regional tensions

On June 18, 2026, the Turkish National Security Council met in Ankara under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to address regional and international security issues. Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, speaking from Brussels during NATO meetings, criticized the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between France and the Republic of Cyprus, labeling it as illegitimate and a disruption of regional balance. Turkey asserted its position as a guarantor power, declaring it has the capacity to prevent any unilateral actions it deems detrimental to the interests of the Turkish Cypriot community. The council also discussed the implications of a US-Iran agreement, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza. Furthermore, officials reviewed maritime security in the Black Sea and developments in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Ankara reiterated its commitment to defending its perceived rights and interests in the region while preparing for upcoming NATO summit security logistics.