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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Türkiye is ready to act as a facilitator between Iran and the United States to de-escalate tensions, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Istanbul on Friday for talks amid heightened military buildup by Washington.
Erdogan spoke with Pezeshkian by phone on Friday, during which the leaders discussed bilateral Türkiye-Iran relations and escalating military tensions in the region, according to the Turkish Presidency's Directorate of Communications.
"President Erdogan emphasized in the conversation that Türkiye is ready to assume a facilitator role between Iran and the U.S. to de-escalate tensions and resolve issues," the statement said.
President Erdogan also informed Pezeshkian that he would receive Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Türkiye later Friday.
Araghchi arrived in Istanbul to meet with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Speaking to Iranian state television at the airport, Araghchi emphasized the importance of Turkish-Iranian consultations.
"Iran and Türkiye are two great neighboring countries, and we have always been in close consultation on political, economic and cultural fields as well as regional issues," Araghchi said.
"There are serious challenges in the region. The goals expressed by the U.S. and others necessitate closer consultations with Türkiye," he added.
Araghchi said he would exchange views with Turkish officials to find a solution to regional challenges.
The Iranian foreign minister also addressed the European Union's decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a "terrorist organization."
"Initiatives against the Revolutionary Guards are a strategic mistake. Europeans will soon realize they have made a mistake," Araghchi said.
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Foreign Minister Fidan and Araghchi are expected to hold a joint press conference at 1:45 p.m. following their meeting in Istanbul.
Araghchi is also expected to be received by President Erdogan during his visit.
The visit comes at a time when tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated again, with Washington increasing its military buildup against Tehran.
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