Iranian, Turkish FMs discuss Syria developments, anti-terror fight

Foreign ministers of Iran and Turkey have discussed mutual relations as well as the latest developments in the region, particularly the resurgence of terrorism in Syria and the anti-terror fight.

Heading a diplomatic delegation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Ankara early Monday following a short visit to Syria.

Araghchi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks on Monday and are scheduled to attend a joint press conference.

During the meeting, Araghchi said regional countries have common concern about the resurgence of terrorism and the spread of insecurity in Syria.

He urged regional countries, particularly Iran and Turkey, to boost cooperation and convergence to protect regional stability and security.

The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that Israel, backed by the United States, strives to exploit the ongoing sensitive situation in the region caused by the regime’s unprecedented aggression in Gaza and Lebanon and to divert the international community’s attention to its crimes.

“The recent moves by terrorist groups in Syria and the spread of instability and insecurity in this country are in line with the Zionist goals,” Araghchi pointed out.

Referring to Israel’s repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement it struck with Hezbollah, he said all Muslim and regional countries shoulder the responsibility to end the Tel Aviv regime’s aggression.

Muslim and regional countries should also help the refugees in Gaza and Lebanon as winter approaches, the Iranian minister added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araghchi said Tehran and Ankara are firmly determined to improve relations and expressed hope that the 9th meeting of Iran-Turkey high level cooperation council will be held early in 2025.

The Turkish minister, for his part, expressed his country’s resolve to boost cooperation with Iran in various economic, political, cultural and security fields as well as the fight against terrorism.

Fidan also voiced concern over the spread of insecurity and instability in Syria and warned against its adverse consequences for regional countries.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Ankara, the top Iranian diplomat said both sides should address their common concerns about the ongoing regional developments.

He pointed to Iran’s constant consultations with Turkey on various issues, expressing hope that the two countries would reach an understanding on regional issues that would promote stability in the region and prevent Syria from becoming a hub for terrorists.

On Monday, Syria’s state television said around 320 more terrorists had been killed by the government forces in the countryside of the cities of Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama.

The death toll took to some 1,300 the number of the Takfiris, who have been killed as a result of joint cooperation between Syrian and Russian forces, since last week, when the terrorists began trying to stage resurgence in the Arab country’s northern areas.

In Damascus, Araghchi vows Iran’s full-fledged support for Syria in anti-terror fight

The Iranian foreign minister says Tehran will continue to provide full support to Syria in the fight against terrorism and the Israeli regime.

In his meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran will insist on its principled stance to fully support the Syrian government, nation and army in the fight against terrorism and safeguard regional security and stability.

The 22nd international meeting on Syria in the format of the Astana peace talks was held in Kazakhstan’s capital in November in the presence of Iran, Russia, and Turkey, as guarantors of the process.

In their closing statement, the three countries condemned the Israeli regime’s continuous atrocities in the West Asia region and called for increased international efforts to secure an “immediate and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza.

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