Iranian FM Calls Turkish Envoy over Turkey President Erdogan’s Remarks

Turkish Charge d’Affaires Barish Saygen was called to the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday to present explanations over the recent remarks made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan concerning Iran.
The call came after President Erdogan claimed on Thursday that “Iran is trying to dominate the region” and also alleged that Tehran’s measures are annoying Turkey and Saudi Arabia as well as some Persian Gulf Arab countries.

“In the absence of the Turkish ambassador, we invited the country’s Charge d’Affaires (Barish Saygen) to the foreign ministry and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs (Ebrahim Rahimpour) conveyed Iran’s protest and regret to him over (President) Erdogan’s remarks and we demanded a clear response in this regard,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said on Sunday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s strategic approach to the region and its relations with the neighbors are based on peace, stability and cooperation with mutual respect, and we believe that Iran-Turkey cooperation has sufficient capacity for achieving this goal,” Afkham said.

Earlier today, senior parliamentary officials in Tehran warned that they would cancel Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Iran due to his recent remarks if the foreign ministry refrains from cancelling the trip.

“Mr. Erdogan’s visit to Tehran should be canceled in view of his recent comments against Iran …,” member of the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Esmayeel Kosari told FNA.

Asked whether the Iranian foreign ministry will cancel President Erdogan’s visit or not, the prominent legislator responded, “If the ministry does not take this action, we will make the foreign ministry bound to do it and the parliament will surely study this issue next week after coming back from Nowrouz holidays.”

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also urged Turkey to act responsibly in a bid to help restore calm and peace to the Middle East.

“We attach great importance to our strategic relations with Turkey in different fields and under the present conditions all countries should try to establish stability and prevent the spread of insecurity in the region,” the Iranian foreign minister said in reaction to Erdogan’s statements.

“Those who have caused irreparable damage with their strategic mistakes and ambitious policies should utilize the existing capacities to establish calm and convergence in the region through adopting responsible policies,” Zarif added.