Turkey Detains 2 Suspects Over Espionage for Iran

Turkish soldier near Iranian border (File photo: EPA)
Turkish soldier near Iranian border (File photo: EPA)
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Turkey Detains 2 Suspects Over Espionage for Iran

Turkish soldier near Iranian border (File photo: EPA)
Turkish soldier near Iranian border (File photo: EPA)

Turkish authorities have detained two individuals, an Iranian and a Turkish national, on suspicion of espionage, a senior official announced Wednesday.

The two alleged spies were detained as they plotted to kidnap and forcibly repatriate a former Iranian military official from the eastern Turkish province Van, which borders Iran, an unnamed government official told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

According to the official, six local "collaborators" were also arrested in a joint operation by the Turkish National Intelligence Agency and Turkey's police.

He did not reveal the identity of the two suspects or the reasons behind the attempted kidnap of the former Iranian military official.

Turkey and Iran have historically had close economic ties but occasionally stand at opposite sides in regional conflicts, including Syria.



Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
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Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP

The Taliban's foreign office said they saw India as a "significant regional and economic partner" after meeting with its most senior foreign ministry official, the highest level talks with Delhi since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.
Afghanistan's foreign ministry said in a statement that they had discussed expanding relations with Afghanistan and to boost trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan, Reuters reported.
"In line with Afghanistan's balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner," the statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry said late on Wednesday.
India's foreign ministry said after the Delhi meeting that India was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties.
No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban administration.
However, India is one of several countries with a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, aid and medical support and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Regional players including China and Russia have signaled they are willing to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan.
The Delhi meeting could ruffle Pakistan, which borders both countries and has fought three wars in the past against India.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge the Afghan Taliban denies.
Earlier this week India's foreign office told journalists they condemned airstrikes conducted late last year by Pakistan on Afghan soil.