Ankara, Aug. 18 (SANA)Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğandiscussed bilateral relations and regional and global issues during a phone call with US PresidentDonald Trump.

Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency, citing the Turkish presidency, said Tuesday that Erdoğan stressed the importance of making full use of diplomacy to contain ongoing tensions betweenIranand the United States.

He expressed hope that negotiations would continue and said Ankara would maintain its support for peace efforts.

Erdoğan also noted increasing Israeli practices targeting Palestinians as efforts continue to move to the second phase of the peace process in the Gaza Strip. He stressed that Türkiye would continue supporting lasting regional peace and efforts to rebuild the Strip.

Erdoğan also said Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had demonstrated a strong commitment to regional stability and security by signing theMecca Mutual Defense Agreement.

Trump had described the agreement, signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Mecca on August 7, as an important step reflecting growing rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries.