Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense has stated that it will continue to support efforts aimed at preventing the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran from collapsing into a more complex and difficult-to-manage crisis. Speaking at the ministry’s weekly press briefing held at the National Defense University campus, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk said Ankara supports the transformation of the current pause into a lasting ceasefire and, ultimately, durable peace.

The ministry also underlined that the wider war is producing effects that are increasingly felt not only across the region but at the global level as well. In its remarks, the Turkish side said it hopes the conflict will end as soon as possible and called on all parties involved in the ongoing negotiations to act constructively. At the same time, the ministry criticized Israel’s continuing attacks in Lebanon, saying such actions damage both Lebanon’s territorial integrity and the broader stability of the region while also undermining diplomatic efforts.

Beyond regional diplomacy, the briefing also highlighted ongoing military activities and force modernization. The ministry said that Turkish Armed Forces operations against terrorism, border security efforts, and search-and-destruction work in caves, shelters, and tunnel networks continue without interruption. It added that 8 PKK members had surrendered over the previous week, bringing the total number of surrenders since January 1 to 75, while the total length of tunnels destroyed in the Syrian operation areas had reached 772 kilometers.

On the defense modernization front, the ministry announced that inspection and acceptance activities had been completed for additional Fırtına-2 howitzers and AKINCI combat UAVs, which were then inducted into inventory. It also said that ASELSAN had delivered additional ACAR 300-G ground and UAV surveillance radars to the Land Forces. In parallel, the ministry pointed to MKE’s $1.5 billion investment program for 2023-2027, which is expected to increase domestic production capacity for artillery ammunition, rockets, mortars, gun systems, and critical energetic materials.

Another notable point from the briefing was the announcement that work has started to increase the number of commando brigades. The ministry said the Turkish Armed Forces is continuously updating its force structure based on lessons drawn from the Russia-Ukraine war and from the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. According to the statement, the new brigades are expected to be formed under a more modern structure aligned with current threat assessments and evolving operational concepts.