Iran’s Top General, Turkish Defense Minister Discuss Ties


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and Turkey’s Minister of National Defense Nurettin Canikli on Wednesday held talks on a range of issues, including fighting terrorism.

During the meeting in the Turkish capital of Ankara, general Baqeri and Canikli exchanged views on defense ties, fighting against terrorism and improving border security.

Heading a military delegation, the top Iranian general arrived in Ankara on Tuesday morning for talks with top Turkish military and political officials.

He is going to hold separate meetings with Turkey's President Recep Tayyib Erdogan and Head of National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan.

Iran and Turkey enjoy cordial bilateral relations. Despite some differences on regional issues, Iran and Turkey are two sides of a trilateral mechanism to maintain ceasefire in certain parts of Syria.

Tehran, Ankara and Moscow cooperation has led to several successful indirect talks between the Syrian government and the opposition groups in the Kazakh capital of Astana.