Cyprus Times

Fidan on Iran: Genuine, but Manipulated Protests

Published January 11, 2026, 15:09
Fidan on Iran: Genuine, but Manipulated Protests

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has openly expressed support for the Iranian regime, directly accusing Mossad and Israel of inciting recent unrest in the country. According to Fidan, the protests stem from genuine grievances of the Iranian people and the country's structural problems, but are being manipulated by external forces aiming to destabilize Tehran. He specifically accused Mossad of using social media to provoke turmoil, exploiting the economic hardships Iran faces due to sanctions and inflation. Fidan stated that Israel's attempts to exploit the situation in Iran will fail, predicting that the Iranian regime will not collapse. He also argued that the current protests are on a smaller scale compared to previous ones. Furthermore, he predicted that recent events in Iran will not be the last setback for Israel. The Turkish support for Iran is explained by their common adversary, Israel, which Ankara believes is increasing its influence in the region. Turkey seeks to maintain a balance of power in the area and prevent further destabilization. Fidan's statement is a clear indication of Turkey's position on the Iranian crisis. Turkey's supportive stance towards Iran does not necessarily imply full acceptance of the regime's policies. Instead, Ankara appears to be seeking to maintain open channels of communication with all parties in the region in order to promote stability and security. Criticism of Israel is part of this effort.