Friday Prayer Leader of Tabriz Emphasizes Expansion of Iran Turkey Relations
Hojjat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin Ahmad Motahhari Asl, Friday Prayer Leader of Tabriz, in a meeting on Wednesday morning with Mete Zaimoğlu, Consul General of Turkey in Tabriz, stressed the necessity of expanding and deepening Iran–Turkey relations in the fields of culture, economy, tourism, and security.
Referring to the historical background of relations between the two countries, he stated: The peoples of Iran and Turkey have long had deep‑rooted historical, cultural, and religious ties, and these commonalities have paved the way for constructive and lasting interactions between the two sides.
Motahhari Asl, emphasizing the importance of unity among Islamic countries, noted: The enemies of Islam have always sought to weaken relations among Muslim countries, but after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the development of relations with Islamic countries—especially Turkey—has always been a priority for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He regarded the religious diversity in Turkey as a valuable opportunity to strengthen cultural and religious convergence and added: The presence of various Islamic sects in this country can provide a suitable ground for increasing cultural and scientific exchanges between the two nations.
The Friday Prayer Leader of Tabriz described Iran–Turkey cultural and scientific relations as deep and rooted, saying: The Iranian people hold special respect for the Turkish people, and this mutual affection is particularly evident among the people of East Azerbaijan and Tabriz, who have close historical and cultural ties with Turkey.
The Representative of the Supreme Leader in East Azerbaijan, stressing the need to elevate the level of economic cooperation, stated: The economic relations of the two countries are in a favorable condition, but through joint planning and effort, cooperation in areas such as agriculture, industry, and trade can be further expanded.
He also considered Iran–Turkey security cooperation important and said: The Islamic Republic of Iran has always demonstrated its support for Turkey’s security and stability, and it is expected that such cooperation, especially in border regions and at the regional level, will be strengthened.
