Turkey's FM Fidan: Both US and Iran Have 'Sufficient Political Will' to Stop the Conflict — Cautiously Optimistic Signal from Ankara — Day 75

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on May 13, 2026 (Day 75) that he believes both the United States and Iran now have sufficient political will to stop the conflict — a cautiously optimistic diplomatic signal from Ankara amid the broader deadlock. Fidan's statement comes as Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing and as the ceasefire — nominally in effect since April 8 — remained on 'massive life support.' Turkey has positioned itself as one of the most active diplomatic intermediaries in the conflict, with direct channels to both Tehran and Washington. Fidan's reading of Iranian intent diverges significantly from the IRGC's 'maximum readiness' and 'no retreat' postures announced the same day — possibly reflecting a disconnect between Iran's diplomatic and military-IRGC tracks that has been a recurring feature of the conflict since its earliest days. Turkey's diplomatic role acquired additional significance after Pakistan's intermediary channels faced setbacks following the collapse of the US-Iran MOU framework. Iran's IRGC has not ceased its coercive operations in the Gulf (Kuwait port attacks, maritime zone expansion) even as the ceasefire nominally holds — reinforcing the dual-track pattern Ankara is attempting to navigate.