Iran, Türkiye Agree to Boost Regional, Bilateral Cooperation

Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)
Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)
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Iran, Türkiye Agree to Boost Regional, Bilateral Cooperation

Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)
Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian received in Tehran on Sunday his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan for talks on cooperation and regional affairs.

Abdollahian urged the activation of the cooperation agreement between Tehran and Ankara, the respect of the border waters rights, and the adoption of diplomacy and dialogue between Türkiye and Syria.

Fidan stressed that Türkiye and Iran have a responsibility toward regional stability, calling on Damascus to ensure the safe return of the displaced Syrians to their homeland.

IRNA news agency reported that the FMs exchanged view on issues of mutual interests, including regional and international developments.

Fidan is on his first visit to Iran since being named minister of foreign affairs in June.

During a joint press conference, Abdollahian described the talks with his Turkish counterpart as “good” and “detailed”.

“We have discussed the implementation of the comprehensive plan of cooperation between Tehran and Ankara that was concluded during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Tehran. The agreements between the two presidents are on the right track,” he said.

The Iranian FM said the two countries have set an annual trade volume target of 30 billion euros.

He added that work is ongoing to hold a tripartite meeting between Iran, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia to discuss economic and investment cooperation.

The issue of water, he said, also figured in his talks with Fidan. They agreed that their joint technical committee will hold the next round of talks on the issue in Tehran as soon as possible.

Abdollahian called for further cooperation between Iran and Türkiye in consular affairs to facilitate the travel of citizens from both countries.

Fidan praised the reconciliation between Tehran and Ankara, saying that friendly ties among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Iran are of high importance for regional stability.

The Turkish FM also stated that the Syrian government should work on ensuring a safe return of the Syrians in Türkiye.

Moreover, Fidan revealed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi would visit Ankara soon.



Israeli Former Soldier Leaves Brazil over Investigation into Alleged War Crimes in Gaza

 An Israeli soldier walks by the ceasefire line with Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, as seen from the Golan Heights, January 5, 2025. (Reuters)
An Israeli soldier walks by the ceasefire line with Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, as seen from the Golan Heights, January 5, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israeli Former Soldier Leaves Brazil over Investigation into Alleged War Crimes in Gaza

 An Israeli soldier walks by the ceasefire line with Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, as seen from the Golan Heights, January 5, 2025. (Reuters)
An Israeli soldier walks by the ceasefire line with Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, as seen from the Golan Heights, January 5, 2025. (Reuters)

Israel has helped a former soldier leave Brazil after legal action was initiated against him by a group accusing Israelis of war crimes in the Gaza Strip based in part on their own social media posts.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident on Sunday, saying it had helped the former soldier safely depart from Brazil after what it described as “anti-Israel elements” tried to bring about an investigation last week. It warned Israelis against posting on social media about their military service.

The Hind Rajab Foundation, named for a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, said Brazilian authorities had launched an investigation into the soldier after it filed a complaint based on video footage, geolocation data and photographs showing him taking part in the demolition of civilian homes.

It described the move as a “pivotal step toward accountability for crimes committed in Gaza.”

There was no immediate comment from Brazilian authorities. Brazilian media reported Saturday that the investigation was ordered by an on-call federal judge in Brazil’s Federal District. The decision was issued on Dec. 30 but first reported by local media over the weekend.

Israel has faced heavy international criticism over its war against Hamas in Gaza, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. The International Court of Justice is separately investigating genocide allegations.

The Brazil case raised the prospect that rank-and-file Israeli troops could also face possible prosecution while traveling abroad.

Israel adamantly rejects the international allegations, saying its forces in Gaza are acting in accordance with international law and that any violations are punished within its own judicial systems. It says Hamas conceals tunnels and other militant infrastructure in residential buildings, necessitating their demolition.

Throughout the nearly 15-month war, Israeli soldiers have posted numerous videos from Gaza that appear to show them rummaging through private homes and blowing up or burning residential buildings. In some, they chant racist slogans or boast about destroying the Palestinian territory.

The military has pledged to take disciplinary action in what it says are a handful of isolated cases.

The war began when Hamas-led fighters stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israel’s offensive has killed over 45,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. They say women and children make up over half the fatalities but do not distinguish between civilians and fighters in their tally. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war has caused widespread destruction in Gaza and displaced around 90% of the population of 2.3 million people, with many forced to flee multiple times.