Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed upon his arrival in Istanbul on Friday that regional developments, particularly proposals from Washington, necessitate intensified consultations between Tehran and Ankara.
“This visit was planned some time ago and comes in response to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Iran several months ago,” Araghchi stated, outlining the agenda to discuss bilateral relations alongside pressing regional and international issues.
📸 Foreign ministers of #Iran and #Turkey hold meeting in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/37Ihr053E7
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He emphasized the enduring close consultations between the two major neighbors, spanning political, economic, social, and cultural cooperation. “Regional issues are inherently highly sensitive,” Araghchi noted, pointing to serious existing challenges. He argued that the objectives put forward by America and others “necessitate intensified consultations, a review of regional developments, and coordination of positions between the two countries.”
“We will discuss together ways to address these challenges and mechanisms for overcoming them,” he added.
Shifting focus to European policies, Araghchi strongly criticized the European Union’s recent measures against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “The truth is that Europe is a continent in decline, and it has lost its role on the international stage, losing it day by day,” he said.
“What surprises me is that they are contributing to accelerating this decline,” Araghchi continued. “This indicates that Europe lacks an accurate understanding of international circumstances, the reality of our region, and even its own interests.”
He condemned the EU’s decision as a major strategic mistake, likening it to the previous error of the so-called “snapback mechanism,” which he said accelerated the decline of Europe’s regional role. “I believe that, just as they later admitted their mistake… they will quickly come to the realization that they have also made a mistake in this matter.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister was received by Turkish officials, including the Regional Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his one-day visit, he is scheduled to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and hold consultations with his Turkish counterpart on bilateral relations and regional developments.