TERHAN - A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has reiterated the importance of the commonalities between Iran and Turkey, saying the two countries are capable of playing a leading role in shaping the future of the Muslim world.
“Iran and Turkey are two very important countries among Islamic states and can influence the future of the Muslim world,” the Leader’s aide on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, said in a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Riza Hakan Tekin on Sunday.
He hailed the Turkish people’s success in thwarting the recent military coup in the country and countering efforts to break the nation’s resolve and resistance, while highlighting Iran's support for the Turkish government and nation against the coup plotters.
At least 246 people were killed and more than 2,100 others sustained injuries when a faction of Turkey's army, using hijacked helicopters and tanks, clashed with government troops and people on the streets of the capital, Ankara, and the city of Istanbul on July 15.
A day after the coup bid was declared foiled and over, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused US-based opposition cleric, Fethullah Gulen, of being behind the coup attempt. The opposition figure has, however, denied any role in the foiled putsch.
Velayati further urged Tehran and Ankara to tap into their common interests to strengthen cooperation in all fields. (Presstv)