Turkey summoned an Iranian diplomat amid rising tensions following critical comments by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Iran’s foreign policy. Iran reacted with discontent, asserting its stance against perceived threats. Despite their disagreements, both nations underscore the significance of their economic partnership and the necessity for diplomatic engagement to mitigate further disputes.
A diplomatic rift between Turkey and Iran intensified on Tuesday as Ankara called in a senior Iranian diplomat amid escalating tensions. The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Ankara following a meeting where Iran’s ambassador was called to discuss remarks made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Mr. Fidan’s interview with Al Jazeera Arabic last week provoked anger in Tehran, where he criticized Iran’s foreign policy of using militias in other countries, describing it as a “great risk.”
He stated that if Iran wishes to avoid negative repercussions, it must refrain from actions that provoke others: “If you do not want a stone to be thrown at your window, you will not throw a stone at someone else’s window.” In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei deemed Turkish comments “very unconstructive” during a press conference, as tensions continued to flare.
Iranian officials conveyed their discontent over Mr. Fidan’s statements, with Ebrahim Rezaei from the Parliament’s National Security Committee asserting that Iran would not stand by passively, intending to retaliate against its opponents. Concurrently, Turkey’s foreign ministry raised concerns during the Iranian diplomat’s meeting about the recent public criticisms of Turkey made by Iranian officials.
On the subject of these diplomatic tensions, Turkey emphasized the need for both nations to engage in constructive dialogue. Despite differences in regional policies, both nations maintain a significant economic partnership, with Turkey’s exports to Iran reaching $5.49 billion in 2023. Furthermore, Iranians ranked second in property purchases in Turkey after Russians.
This account of escalating tensions between the two countries is not unprecedented; previous disputes have arisen, including accusations of Iranian involvement in incidents affecting Turkish soldiers in Syria. Yet, both nations have expressed a commitment to strengthening their relationship based on mutual interests. Iranian officials believe that maintain close ties is essential, further indicating their intent to reinforce bilateral relations.
In summary, Turkey and Iran are currently experiencing heightened diplomatic tensions following critical remarks made by Turkish officials regarding Iran’s foreign policy. Despite their differences, both nations acknowledge the importance of economic partnership and express a desire to maintain constructive dialogue to prevent further conflict. Historical tensions highlight the complexity of their relationship, but both parties recognize the value of strengthening bilateral ties based on shared interests.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
