Türkiye, Iran Agree to Boost Ties, Cooperation

Türkiye, Iran Agree to Boost Ties, Cooperation
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Türkiye, Iran Agree to Boost Ties, Cooperation

Türkiye, Iran Agree to Boost Ties, Cooperation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, asserted the importance of taking a joint stance against "Israeli atrocities and brutality in the Palestinian territories."

During a phone call, the two leaders discussed the "unlawful attacks" on Gaza, humanitarian aid efforts, and possible measures to achieve a permanent ceasefire.

Earlier, Türkiye and Iran reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people in the face of the escalating Israeli aggression, their continued diplomatic efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire, and the arrival of aid to the Gaza Strip.

The two countries expressed their desire to enhance further cooperation in various political, security, and economic fields and about regional and international issues of common interest.

- Developments in Gaza

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, also discussed the recent developments in Gaza, bilateral relations, and ongoing efforts to boost cooperation in various fields over the phone.

Diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Fidan confirmed Türkiye will continue to exert all possible efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and prevent the conflict between Israel and Hamas from spreading to other regions.

The sources added that Fidan stressed the need to achieve the two-state solution and establish an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the borders of June 4, 1967.

He also called for mobilizing the efforts of Islamic countries to achieve this goal.

The sources noted that Fidan was satisfied with the announcement of various parties about their readiness to consider guarantorship, which Türkiye proposed for post-war on Gaza.

In turn, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the discussions between Amirabdollahian and Fidan focused on recent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and several issues of bilateral concern.

The Ministry added in a statement that Amirabdollahian stressed the need for Iran and Türkiye, along with other Islamic countries, to take more decisive measures to support the Palestinian people.

The FM underscored the "need for a complete end to the Zionist regime's crimes against the Palestinian nation in Gaza and the West Bank."

- Strengthening cooperation

Amirabdollahian said he was pleased with the growing trend of cooperation between the two countries on different fronts, expressing hope that the continuation of high-level diplomacy between the two countries will lead to the ever-increasing enhancement of cooperation.

The recent developments in Gaza prompted more coordination and consultation between Ankara and Tehran.

The top Iranian diplomat visited Ankara in early November and discussed the situation in Gaza with Fidan.

He also met Erdogan, and the two sides called for a regional conference to discuss the situation, end the Israeli aggression and provide aid to the Palestinian people.

According to diplomatic sources, Fidan discussed the developments in Syria with Amirabdollahian.

The Iranian FM asserted that Tehran would continue its efforts to normalize relations between Ankara and Damascus.

The meeting also addressed the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) issue in northern Iraq and its extension into Syria, the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG), the largest component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Fidan stressed at the International Strategic Communications Summit (Stratcom) in Istanbul last Friday that terrorist groups exploit social media and carry out organized crimes to ensure financing, noting that old methods have become insufficient in the war against terrorism.

He reiterated that the support provided by allies, especially the US, to the Kurdistan Workers' Party and its affiliated YPG Units, claiming to fight the terrorist organization ISIS, was a major strategic mistake.

Fidan stressed that Türkiye will continue to take all necessary steps and precautions to enhance its national security.

Türkiye seeks tripartite cooperation with Iran and Iraq in combating the Kurdistan Workers' Party, as it is a threat to the three countries.



Arrests Made in Türkiye over Calls for Shopping Boycott to Support Istanbul's Imprisoned Mayor

Fine art university students shout slogans as they march past an Expresso Lab coffee bar during a peaceful protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Fine art university students shout slogans as they march past an Expresso Lab coffee bar during a peaceful protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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Arrests Made in Türkiye over Calls for Shopping Boycott to Support Istanbul's Imprisoned Mayor

Fine art university students shout slogans as they march past an Expresso Lab coffee bar during a peaceful protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Fine art university students shout slogans as they march past an Expresso Lab coffee bar during a peaceful protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Turkish police detained 11 people Thursday for supporting a shopping boycott as part of protests against the imprisonment of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival, state-run media reported.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for 16 suspects in an investigation into “hatred and discrimination” and “inciting hatred and hostility” among the public, the Anadolu news agency said.

Among the detained was actor Cem Yigit Uzumoglu, who played Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in the Netflix docuseries “Rise of Empires: Ottoman,” the Actors’ Union said.

The suspects were held over social media posts calling on people to not to spend money on Wednesday and for businesses to shut their doors in solidarity during the daylong boycott, The AP news reported.

Large-scale anti-government protests began last month after the arrest of Istanbul's opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges that critics say are politically motivated. The government insists the judiciary is independent and free of political interference.

Istanbul prosecutors on Tuesday launched a criminal investigation into earlier boycott calls by Imamoglu’s party targeting companies it alleges support the government. In particular, the opposition identified media firms that did not air images of protests in which hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets to call for Imamoglu’s release and an end to democratic backsliding.

The leader of Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party, or CHP, issued a warning after authorities blocked social media accounts supporting Wednesday's boycott.

“We know that you have closed hundreds of pages to date,” Ozgur Ozel wrote on X. “If you become a tool for anti-democratic practices today, if you implement access ban demands, think carefully about what this nation will do to you!”

While in prison, Imamoglu has been confirmed as the CHP's presidential candidate. The next election is currently scheduled for 2028 but is likely to take place earlier.

According to the independent ANKA News Agency, some 2,000 people have been detained since Imamoglu was arrested on March 19, with 316 jailed pending trial. Most face charges relating to participating in protests.

Lawyers for imprisoned protesters on Wednesday said many had suffered mistreatment. The government has not responded to the allegations but on Thursday the police issued a statement denying claims that women had been sexually assaulted in custody as “vile slanders.”