Araghchi: Zionist Occupation is the 'Biggest Threat' to Syria
Tehran - BORNA - In a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi extended a warm welcome to his Turkish counterpart, emphasizing that Iran and Turkey share a relationship that goes beyond mere neighborliness, referring to them as "two friends and brothers with a great many commonalities."
Araghchi confirmed that preparations for the Supreme Council of Cooperation (SCC), to be chaired by the Presidents of both nations, were discussed, expressing hope that the meeting will take place soon in Tehran.
Energy, Connectivity, and New Consulate
Focusing on economic ties, Araghchi noted that while trade between the two countries is growing, it is still short of the intended goal. He outlined several key initiatives to accelerate cooperation:
Iran affirmed its readiness to extend the gas contract with Turkey and expand overall energy cooperation.
Araghchi also stressed the urgency of connecting Iranian and Turkish railway lines and expressed hope for construction to begin promptly. He also announced Iran's readiness to activate new border crossings.
In a concrete diplomatic step, Araghchi revealed that the Iranian Consulate General in Van (Turkey) will commence activities soon, creating greater capacity for provincial cooperation.
Security Warning on Israel and the Region
Addressing regional issues, Araghchi confirmed that the situation in Palestine was a major topic of negotiation. He then issued a sharp critique regarding threats to regional stability: "The attacks by the Zionist regime on Syria and Lebanon show that the Zionist regime has larger plans for the region, and the biggest source of threat to Syria is the Zionist regime and its occupation."
Regarding the Caucasus, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that Iran's position is to support stability in the region exclusively through the participation of regional countries, while avoiding extra-regional interference.
He concluded by touching upon counter-terrorism—where Iran supports the disarmament of the PKK—and the consultation held on nuclear issues, unjust sanctions, and the snapback mechanism, expressing optimism for a "brighter future" in Tehran-Ankara relations.
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