Iran Summons Turkish Chargé d'Affaires over Erdogan’s Comments
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey’s charge d’affaires to voice protest over comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who accused Iran of trying to dominate the region and of meddling in the regional developments.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said on Sunday that Tehran has summoned Turkey’s charge d’affaires in the absence of the ambassador to express its protest and regret at Erdogan’s “unconventional and inappropriate” remarks.
She said Iran has called for a “clear and convincing” explanation from Turkey.
“The strategic approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the region and relations with the neighbors is founded on peace, stability and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect,” Afkham said.
Iran’s reaction came in response to Thursday comments by Erdogan who accused Iran of “trying to dominate the region” and said Tehran’s efforts had begun annoying Ankara, as well as Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf Arab countries.
While Saudi Arabia has launched a military campaign against Yemen, Iran has repeatedly slammed the attacks as a “strategic mistake” that only flare tensions in the region.
On March 26, the Al Saud began to militarily interfere in Yemen's internal affairs by launching deadly air strikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in an attempt to restore power to fugitive Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh.