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Iran voiced support Sunday for the PKK's disarmament process during high-level talks with Türkiye that also advanced bilateral cooperation on energy, border security, and regional stability amid shared concerns over Israeli policies in the Middle East.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters that terrorism poses a threat to the region and affirmed Tehran's backing for Ankara's efforts to transition beyond decades of armed conflict with the terror group PKK. The statement came during a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was making his fourth visit to Tehran since taking office.
The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, announced its dissolution at a May congress following a February appeal by its imprisoned ringleader , Abdullah Ocalan, to end the insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 1984. In July, 30 PKK members surrendered their weapons in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah province in a public ceremony, burning their arms in a cauldron.
Türkiye's parliament has established the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Committee to manage political and legal aspects of the post-conflict transition.
The ministers outlined plans to strengthen economic ties through expanded border crossings, railway connections, and trade centers linking the two neighbors. Fidan emphasized that despite longstanding coordination and high trade volumes between the countries, efficiency remains below potential given their large populations and proximity.
Araghchi confirmed Iran's readiness to extend its natural gas supply agreement with Türkiye and expand energy sector collaboration. The two sides also agreed to host technical experts to negotiate preferential trade arrangements and discussed measures to improve border efficiency and logistics infrastructure.
Iran plans to open a consulate in Türkiye's eastern Van province in the near future, a move Araghchi said would strengthen bilateral relations. Fidan pledged to attend the opening ceremony if his Iranian counterpart also participates.
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Both foreign ministers identified Israel as the primary threat to Middle Eastern stability, citing ongoing violence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, along with what they described as expansionist policies. Fidan stated that both countries view "Israel as the biggest threat to stability in the Middle East" and called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities.
The officials discussed Israel's violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and coordinated approaches to the Palestinian issue. Araghchi said Syria's stability depends on preserving its territorial integrity, adding that "the biggest threat comes from Israel."
The ministers agreed to convene the ninth Türkiye-Iran High-Level Cooperation Council meeting soon at the presidential level, signaling sustained high-level engagement between Ankara and Tehran.
Fidan reaffirmed Ankara's support for Tehran during ongoing nuclear negotiations and advocated for lifting what he termed "unrighteous" sanctions against Iran. He emphasized that Iran must resolve its nuclear program issues on the basis of international law.
The two countries also addressed irregular migration from Afghanistan, with Fidan stating that concrete regional cooperation is necessary to manage cross-border movements. Both ministers committed to joint efforts on migration control.
During his visit, Fidan also met with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Fidan additionally reiterated Türkiye's commitment to supporting peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine.
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