President Erdogan and President Trump discuss Middle East developments

On August 18, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East. The dialogue focused heavily on the war in Gaza, with Erdogan asserting that Israeli actions against Palestinians have intensified, further delaying the implementation of the second phase of the United States' proposed peace plan.

In addition to the situation in Gaza, the leaders addressed the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Erdogan emphasized the importance of diplomacy and offered Turkey's assistance in mediating talks to facilitate de-escalation between the two nations. The Turkish leader also updated the American president on the newly formed defense pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, which he described as a significant contribution to regional stability.

While the Turkish presidency provided detailed accounts of the topics discussed, including bilateral relations, the White House has not yet issued an official statement regarding the call. There are no immediate follow-up actions scheduled, though the Turkish administration indicated it remains committed to supporting peace efforts in the region.