Turkey and Qatar emerge as alternative venues for US-Iran talks after diplomatic deadlock. Ankara does not exercise formal mediation but keeps a channel open between the parties through Foreign Minister Fidan.

Iran attacked the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan with drones on March 5, damaging an airport and injuring two civilians. The conflict is extending to the South Caucasus.

With Hormuz paralyzed, the Zangezur corridor between Azerbaijan and Turkey gains relevance as an alternative East-West trade route. Construction at 95%, operational by end of 2026.

ANALYSIS | Turkey plays on all fronts: US-Iran mediation, Iranian missiles intercepted over its territory, conflict in the Caucasus, and Mediterranean tensions. Erdogan chooses the path of indispensability.