New Welfare Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan criticized the banking regulator BDDK's decision dated 18 September 2026 revoking the operating license of Iran-based Bank Mellat's Istanbul branch; he claimed the decision was taken at the US's request, arguing trade with Iran would become more difficult and fertilizer costs would increase.
With the BDDK decision dated September 18, the operating license of the Istanbul branch of the Tehran-based bank was revoked. Erbakan claimed the decision would make trade with Iran, one of the world's largest urea producers, more difficult and increase farmers' costs. He also criticized the government, saying, 'We are absent while citizens are defrauded in the stock market under the guise of funds'.
