ALWAGHT- The foreign ministers of Iran and Turkey discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, focusing on the resurgence of terrorism in Syria and efforts to combat it.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Ankara early Monday after a brief visit to Syria, leading a diplomatic delegation. He held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and participated in a joint press conference. Araghchi emphasized the need for regional cooperation, particularly between Iran and Turkey, to counter the resurgence of terrorism and ensure stability in Syria. He highlighted Israel's exploitation of regional instability, its aggression in Gaza and Lebanon, and its violations of a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Araghchi called for a unified effort among Muslim and regional countries to confront Israel’s actions, support refugees in Gaza and Lebanon, and maintain security. He also expressed Tehran’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ankara and hoped for the 9th Iran-Turkey High-Level Cooperation Council meeting in early 2025. Fidan reaffirmed Turkey’s determination to enhance relations with Iran and warned of the broader regional consequences of instability in Syria.
Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported that government forces, in coordination with Russian forces, have killed over 1,300 Takfiri terrorists in northern Syria, including in Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama, since the recent insurgent resurgence began. In Damascus, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s support for Syria in combating terrorism and safeguarding regional security during a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad.
The recent developments come against the backdrop of the 22nd international meeting on Syria in Kazakhstan as part of the Astana peace talks. In a joint statement, Iran, Russia, and Turkey condemned Israeli atrocities in the region and called for intensified efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
