UN mandate for Gaza stabilisation force still under discussion, says Turkey
Istanbul: Countries are still working on securing a United Nations Security Council mandate for an international stabilisation force in Gaza, and any decisions on troop contributions will be made once a framework is finalised, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday, Reuters reported.
Fidan made the remarks after a ministerial meeting in Istanbul attended by foreign ministers and representatives from several Muslim-majority nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey. The meeting focused on the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
According to Fidan, some of the participating countries could contribute to the proposed stabilisation force that would monitor the truce. The leaders of these seven nations had earlier met U.S. President Donald Trump in New York in September, shortly before the ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas was agreed.
Fidan said there were challenges in fully implementing the agreement because Israel was regularly violating it.
“Israel must fulfil its duty to allow sufficient aid into Gaza,” Reuters quoted Fidan as saying at a press conference.
Israel, however, maintains that it is complying with the ceasefire and has accused Hamas of not returning the bodies of remaining hostages. A government spokeswoman told Reuters that Israel was allowing “hundreds of trucks of aid on a daily basis (while) Hamas shows their true colours by derailing humanitarian aid meant for their own people.”
Turkey, a NATO member, has been among Israel’s strongest critics, calling the two-year-long military campaign in Gaza a “genocide”. With U.S. support, Ankara has played a key role in mediating the ceasefire and expressed interest in participating in any monitoring mission, though Israel opposes Turkish involvement.
Asked about the proposed role of Turkey, Fidan said countries were working to define the mission’s “legitimacy and scope.”
“They will decide, based on the contents of this definition, whether to send soldiers or not,” Reuters quoted him as saying.
The Gaza truce, in place since October 10, has been repeatedly tested by outbreaks of violence. Key issues such as the disarmament of Hamas and a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal remain unresolved.
Fidan reiterated that Turkey wants Palestinians to ensure their own security and governance after the war, but noted that “several steps must be taken before that goal can be realised.”
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
