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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Sunday that Iran will open a consulate in the eastern Turkish city of Van, speaking during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
Fidan welcomed the plan and said he would attend the consulate’s opening ceremony if Araghchi is also present. The new diplomatic post is expected to enhance cross-border cooperation and support expanding economic and cultural ties between the two neighbors.
The announcement came as part of a broader agenda to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, logistics, and border management. Fidan noted that while the two countries share high trade volumes, current mechanisms lack efficiency. "Trade and energy are top priorities, and we saw again today there is much more to be done," he said.
Both foreign ministers agreed to increase the number of border gates and improve infrastructure and procedures at existing crossings to facilitate smoother transportation of goods and people.
Fidan also underlined the importance of launching new logistics and transit projects to support regional trade and increase mutual access to markets.
The meeting also addressed joint concerns over irregular migration, particularly from Afghanistan. Fidan stated that the issue requires "concrete cooperation" between regional actors, including Türkiye and Iran, to manage flows and improve humanitarian and border responses.
"We aim to tackle this issue together with Iran," Fidan said, highlighting the urgency of collaborative action amid ongoing migration pressures in the region.
The two sides confirmed that the ninth Türkiye-Iran High-Level Cooperation Council meeting will take place in the near future at the presidential level. The council serves as the highest bilateral platform for strategic dialogue between the two countries, covering areas ranging from security to commerce.
On broader regional security matters, Fidan said both countries share the view that Israel poses the greatest threat to Middle East stability. He cited concerns over the situation in Gaza, as well as Israel’s actions in Lebanon and Syria, which both Türkiye and Iran view as destabilizing.
"The international community must fulfill its responsibilities," Fidan said, referring to Israel’s ongoing strikes.
Turning to nuclear diplomacy, Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s support for Iran in ongoing international negotiations and called for an end to what he described as "unrighteous" sanctions. He stressed the importance of resolving disputes through legal and diplomatic means.
"Iran must resolve its issues on the basis of international law," he said, affirming Türkiye’s position that constructive engagement should be prioritized.
Fidan concluded his remarks by reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to supporting peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine. Türkiye has served as a facilitator in multiple rounds of dialogue since the onset of the war and continues to advocate for diplomacy in ending the conflict, he stressed.
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