Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Tehran

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (left) was received by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Photo: iha.news

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Tehran for a significant diplomatic visit, during which he met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, IRNA reports. The agenda encompassed a range of topics, including the strengthening of bilateral ties and an exchange of views on regional and international developments.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran and Turkey, as two major regional powers, are determined to take steps — through close coordination and cooperation — toward lasting peace, stability, and regional development, ‘Mehr News’ reports.

Araghchi stated that he hosted Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his accompanying delegation in Tehran. He noted that in a completely cordial and constructive atmosphere, the two sides reviewed the growing trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the firm determination of the leaders of both countries to deepen cooperation in economic, trade, energy transit, technological, security, and cultural fields.

He added that both sides expressed deep concern over the catastrophic situation in Gaza and the West Bank, strongly condemned the genocide committed by the Israeli regime, and agreed on the urgent need to halt these crimes and hold the regime accountable in international forums.

Regarding developments in Syria and Lebanon, Araghchi stressed that the two countries emphasized full respect for the national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of these states, and firmly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (right) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
Photo: ‘Daily Sabah’

Fidan underscored the need to boost cooperation between Türkiye and Iran in trade, energy and regional security during a media briefing in the Iranian capital, ‘Daily Sabah’ writes.

On regional security, Fidan said both countries view "Israel as the biggest threat to stability in the Middle East,” citing concerns over Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and broader Israeli expansionist policies.

"The international community must fulfill its responsibilities,” he said.

Fidan also reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Tehran during ongoing nuclear negotiations and called for the lifting of "unrighteous” sanctions. "Iran must resolve its issues on the basis of international law,” he stated.

He also reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

"Trade and energy are top priorities, and we saw again today there is much more to be done,” Fidan said alongside Araghchi, noting the countries’ long-standing coordination between Türkiye and Iran.

He said the sides had agreed to improve border efficiency, increase the number of border gates, and implement logistics and transportation projects.

"Our countries have large populations, close relations and high trade, but our trade needs to be more efficient,” Fidan said during his fourth visit to Tehran as foreign minister.

The officials also discussed efforts to address irregular migration, particularly from Afghanistan.

The two foreign ministers also agreed to hold the 9th Türkiye-Iran High-Level Cooperation Council meeting soon at the presidential level.

Araghchi said at the press conference that Iran and Türkiye share a relationship that goes beyond mere neighborliness, referring to them as "two friends and brothers with a great many commonalities."

Iran's top diplomat 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.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (right) met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Dr. Mohamad Kawas from Progress Center for Policies (Turkey) presented executive summary on Fidan’s visit to Tehran:

• Turkey seeks to manage its competition with Iran and draw it into a partnership in shaping regional transformations rather than disrupting them. Turkey is leveraging its Western and NATO relationships to propose itself as a credible mediator between Tehran and its rivals. The Turkish initiative aligns with a Saudi effort to avoid military confrontation and facilitate nuclear negotiations. Israeli attacks in Syria are pushing both countries to expand areas of alignment against a shared threat.
• Turkey aims to launch a new diplomatic role centered on reaching out to Iran and managing competition — especially in the Syrian file.
• Iran is eager to broaden understandings with Turkey — a NATO member with strong ties to Washington — to ease tensions that could lead to a new Israeli war.
• Turkey signals willingness to deepen relations, even planning a presidential visit to Iran that would extend a regional protective umbrella over Tehran.
• Talk of renewed Turkey-Iran-Russia engagement suggests a revival of the Astana format and Iran’s return as a key actor in the Syrian process.
• Both sides strongly reject Israeli policies, revealing a shared hostility toward Israel’s actions, particularly in Syria.
• The coincidence of the Turkish visit with a Saudi diplomatic visit encourages Iran to listen more closely to regional capitals and adapt to ongoing realignments.

Iran hopes that relations with Turkey will help it regain some influence in Syria through its ties with Kurdish and Alawite communities.

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