Eight nations unite in Istanbul to urge de-escalation in Iran

Ministers reach unanimous agreement against military strikes on Iran

The eight nations reached a unanimous agreement in Istanbul against any new military strike on Iran. The group sent a collective message to Washington advising against such action.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that a fresh strike would widen the conflict and spread it further across the region.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that renewed escalation between Tehran and Washington "would create nothing but losers". He noted that the consequences for global oil and gas markets would be severe.

Call for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

The eight nations collectively demanded the immediate and full restoration of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This vital maritime route is currently blocked due to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

Ministers discussed broader concerns regarding safety and freedom of navigation across the Straits of Hormuz, Bab El Mandeb and the Black Sea.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani argued that the Gulf crisis cannot be addressed through military means alone. He framed the summit's shared objective as "de-escalation to guarantee freedom of navigation".

R4 bloc condemns Houthi attacks and addresses Palestinian conflict

The R4 bloc condemned Houthi attacks as an "unacceptable escalation" targeting the civilian populations of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The group expressed full solidarity with Riyadh and the internationally recognised government of Yemen.

Regarding the Palestinian question, the R4 group reaffirmed its position that Israeli occupation is the central driver of regional instability. They urged an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza while backing a negotiated two-state settlement.

Diplomatic focus on Black Sea trade and the war in Ukraine

Ministers engaged in discussions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Hakan Fidan called for either a ceasefire or protected exemptions for energy and grain trade in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

Progress toward unifying rival administrations in Libya

Hakan Fidan indicated that conditions have matured for progress toward unifying the rival administrations in Libya. He hinted that a concrete announcement regarding the political situation could come soon.

Commitment to future diplomatic cooperation and dialogue

The R4 bloc, comprising Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, has held six ministerial meetings since its inception in Riyadh in March 2026. The most recent of these gatherings took place in New York in September 2026.

Britain, France, and Germany represent the E3 group, which traces its diplomatic roots to coordination over Iran's nuclear programme in 2003. These two groups have now joined with Italy to form this new diplomatic format.

All eight nations have committed to holding regular follow-up meetings to sustain this new diplomatic format. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the decision following what he described as "very constructive discussions".

The ministers expressed their commitment to continuing diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and beyond. They agreed to address the security, economic, and trade implications of these ongoing issues.

Participants agreed on the urgent need to address regional conflicts through dialogue and de-escalation, emphasising the requirement for lasting negotiated solutions in accordance with relevant UN Resolutions. Diplomats at the ministerial meeting in Istanbul pushed for this approach to prevent future conflicts.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the meeting, stated, "There is a huge room for diplomacy, but also a huge room for war". He emphasised the stakes of inaction on the diplomatic track.

The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia is based on the recognition that there is a close link between peace, security and stability in Asia and in the rest of the world. The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia prioritises the indivisibility of security, joint initiative and mutually beneficial interaction of small and large states.