Rouhani urges Iran-Turkey cooperation on anti-terrorism fight

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says more cooperation is needed between Iran and Turkey to counter the threat of terrorist groups in the Middle East region.

In a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Receb Tayyib Erdogan on Wednesday, Rouhani regretted the “destructive role” of terrorist groups in instigating insecurity in Iraq and Syria, saying Tehran and Ankara should draw up a joint plan to uproot terrorism.

The Iranian president added that the chaotic situation requires more cooperation between Iran and Turkey, as the two influential countries in the region.

“This condition of insecurity will undoubtedly leave its adverse effect on neighboring countries,” Rouhani said, adding, “These developments and the situation of the region necessitate the expansion of Iran-Turkey consultations.”

Rouhani said any anti-terror operation needs to be cooperated with the central governments of violence-stricken states, warning that if such cooperation is not materialized, even “bigger problems” may emerge.

The Iranian president reiterated that Tehran and Ankara have always stood by each other throughout the toughest of times, saying Iran attaches significance to the further enhancement of relations with Turkey.

The Turkish president welcomed Rouhani’s proposal for a joint campaign against terrorism, saying the two nations should put special emphasis on the battle with ISIL Takfiri group, which currently controls territories in Iraq and Syria.

Erdogan said the continuation of ISIL’s terror activities would pose a great risk to the entire Muslim world.

The phone call comes amid Turkey’s ongoing military attacks against what it calls ISIL positions in Syria as well as the bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.