Turkiye and Iran vowed to boost their bilateral trade as both countries pursued a $30 billion trade target. President Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Tehran and stressed the need to transform historic ties into a stronger political and economic partnership. The Iranian president called on ministers and expert teams to accelerate work on new cooperation paths, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and present practical solutions for outstanding issues.
Pezeshkian said both nations must expand their relations with mutual trust. He argued that open borders encouraging trade, knowledge and cultural exchange strengthen regional stability. He added that such borders prevent terrorism and weapons from crossing. He stressed that Muslim-majority countries must act in unity to stop external powers from generating crises within the Islamic world.
Leaders highlight shared cultural depth and regional challenges
Pezeshkian also underlined the centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties between Iran and Turkey. He described the relationship as deep-rooted and authentic. He said Islamic countries can block external interference if they act with shared purpose, solidarity and mutual learning. Many regional crises, he said, result from interventionist actors seeking to exploit divisions.
He encouraged Islamic governments to adopt coordinated and strategic cooperation. He pointed to Europe’s post-war integration as an example of how political unity and reduced borders can support long-term stability. He argued that the Islamic world holds even stronger cultural links and can achieve similar progress through expanded economic, scientific and cultural connectivity.
Foreign Minister Fidan delivered greetings from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said Turkey stands ready to deepen cooperation across major economic and regional areas. Fidan praised Pezeshkian’s dedication to the Islamic world and said internal divisions have delayed development. He argued that collective action is now a necessity rather than a choice.
Araghchi–Fidan talks cover nuclear issue, Gaza and Ukraine
Earlier on Sunday, Fidan held detailed talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Fidan said this was his fourth visit to Iran as Turkey’s foreign minister. He described the discussions as productive and wide-ranging. The ministers addressed regional crises, bilateral challenges and global developments.
Fidan said issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear program must be resolved through dialogue and in line with international law. He reiterated Turkey’s opposition to sanctions on Iran and promised continued support for diplomatic solutions. He added that Turkey is ready to expand border crossings and improve transportation links. He also confirmed plans for the opening of Iran’s consulate in the Turkish city of Van.
Both sides discussed cooperation in energy, including gas and electricity. Fidan noted that the next Iran–Turkey High-Level Cooperation Council session will convene in Tehran soon. He also warned that Israeli actions have intensified regional concerns and urged stronger international responses.
The ministers exchanged views on the Russia–Ukraine conflict and said Turkey maintains contact with all parties. They also reviewed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. They called for an immediate halt to Israeli actions and urged accountability for violations of international law.
Fidan later met Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Their talks focused on regional security, including developments in Syria and Gaza. They also discussed the destabilizing actions of Israel in recent events.
