Iranian President Raisi arrives in Ankara for delayed Gaza talks
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made his way to Türkiye on Wednesday for long-awaited discussions aimed at resolving previous conflicts between the two neighboring countries and curbing the escalation of violence in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Raisi's meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan takes place amidst mounting tensions in the region, as the conflict in Gaza spills over into other parts of the Middle East.
- Diplomacy
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 03:10 | 24 January 2024
- Modified Date: 03:10 | 24 January 2024
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi flew to Türkiye on Wednesday for twice-delayed talks aimed at ironing out past differences between the two neighbours and trying to halt the spread of the Israel-Hamas war.
Raisi's visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan comes with the war in Gaza starting to enflame tensions and escalate fighting across the Middle East.
The United States and Britain have stepped up joint air strikes against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.
Israel meanwhile has repeatedly targeted Tehran-linked figures in Syria and appears to be on the brink of launching a full-scale war against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
The rapid pace of the Middle East escalation forced Raisi to delay his visit to Ankara twice.
Planned talks in Ankara in early January were called off when twin blasts claimed by the Daesh [ISIS] terrorist group killed 89 people at the shrine of assassinated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general Qasem Soleimani.
A trip he had planned for November was cancelled because of conflicting schedules of diplomats involved in consultations over the Gaza war.
"Iran and Türkiye have a common position in supporting the Palestinian people and the resistance of the oppressed but powerful Palestinian people," Raisi said before boarding the plane for his first official visit to Türkiye since his 2021 election.