Iran summons Turkish envoy to protest ‘false statements’
Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey’s ambassador on Monday to protest recent remarks by the Turkish foreign minister against Iran’s regional policy.
Iran Foreign Ministry’s Director General for the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe Mahmoud Heydari warned Turkey’s Ambassador in Iran Hicabi Kirlangic that “false statements” could lead to tension between the two neighboring countries.
“The common interests of the two countries and the sensitivity of regional conditions require avoiding wrongful comments and unreal analyses that could lead to differences and tensions in our bilateral relations,” Heydari said.
In an interview with Al Jazeera late last month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Iran risked plunging West Asia into “disorder.”
“If this policy continues, I don’t think it will be good,” Fidan said, accusing Iran of seeking to “create disorder” in the region.
“If you are trying to sow chaos in a third country, other countries can also follow suit by supporting groups in your own country,” Turkey’s foreign minister added.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson also reacted to the Fidan’s remarks earlier on Monday.
“We highly value our bilateral relations with Turkey. Unfortunately, the words repeatedly heard (from Turkey) were highly unconstructive, and it was necessary for Iran to decisively and clearly state its position in that regard,” Esmaeil Baqaei said.
“Perhaps it is necessary for our Turkish friends to think more about the Zionist regime’s (Israel) policy in Syria and the region.”
Meanwhile, a senior advisor to Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei strongly criticized Fidan’s remarks, warning Ankara against repeating such unfounded allegations that could harm long-standing regional relations.
Ali Akbar Velayati asserted that the Islamic Republic would not allow any country to undermine its deep-rooted and historic regional ties through irresponsible statements.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always adhered to a policy of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We expect Turkish officials to uphold diplomatic decorum and refrain from making baseless accusations,” he stressed.
The high-ranking advisor emphasized that Iran was a powerful nation with an ancient civilization and had consistently worked to promote regional security and cooperation.
The official further underlined the Islamic Republic’s regional standing, warning Turkey against misjudging the country’s position and strength in the region.
“If some figures in Turkey believe that by echoing incorrect stances influenced by foreign powers they can weaken Iran’s standing in the region, they are gravely mistaken,” he said.