Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics.
ANKARA — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara on Wednesday as the two countries stepped up coordination amid the Iran war.
What happened: Fidan and Prince Faisal held bilateral talks and led the Turkish and Saudi delegations at the meeting of the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in regional security, connectivity and economic ties, according to a Turkish diplomatic source who briefed journalists ahead of the meeting. Established in 2016, the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council serves as the main framework overseeing bilateral cooperation between Ankara and Riyadh.
Wednesday’s session marked the council’s third meeting following earlier sessions in Ankara in 2017 and Riyadh last year.
Strategic alignment: The two foreign ministers were also expected to focus on the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to prevent further regional escalation. Fidan was expected to “underscore the importance of strengthening regional ownership to ensure lasting security and stability in the region,” the Turkish source said, referring to Turkey’s bid to establish an alliance with regional countries including Saudi Arabia.
Ankara has intensified its regional alliance efforts amid the Iran war and Iranian attacks on Gulf countries. Prince Faisal last visited Turkey in April to attend talks among the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan. While the April meeting marked the third of its kind, no formal regional alliance has so far emerged from the talks.
Prince Faisal’s visit also coincides with broader shifts in the Gulf energy landscape amid the war. The United Arab Emirates’ withdrawal from OPEC and affiliated energy forums last week fueled speculation over fractures within the Gulf bloc traditionally led by Riyadh.
Easing travel rules: Fidan and the prince also signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports on the sidelines of the talks, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting.
The agreement marked the latest step in the two countries’ broader efforts to increase bilateral cooperation in recent years.
Bilateral trade between Turkey and Saudi Arabia reached $8.5 billion by the end of 2025, according to official Turkish data, as defense cooperation emerged as a key pillar of the rapidly improving relationship between Ankara and Riyadh.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia signed a major drone procurement agreement with Turkish defense company Baykar, followed by a 2024 deal paving the way for UAV production, technology transfer and personnel training in the kingdom. Together, the agreements marked Turkey’s largest-ever defense export package.
In February, the two countries also signed a deal laying the groundwork for joint production of Turkey’s Gokbey utility helicopter, while talks have also advanced on possible Saudi participation in Turkey’s KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet program.
