The shared stance by the two sides was highlighted during the meetings of Head of the Iranian Staff of Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri with a number of senior Turkish officials including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli, head of the National Intelligence Organization Hakan Fidan, and chief of the General Staff General Hulusi Akar.
Speaking to IRIB after his meeting with the Turkish President, Maj. Gen. Bagheri stressed that Tehran and Ankara share the same view against the decision by Iraqi Kurdistan Region to hold an independence referendum, saying consequences of the separation of Kurdistan Region from Iraq would affect neighboring countries such as Iran and Turkey.
“We believe that the referendum which is scheduled for 25 September will begin a new wave of tension and conflicts in Iraq,” he added.
Bagheri noted that his talks with Turkish officials also included many agreements on military and security cooperation, particularly with regards to security on shared borders. He expressed hope that the outcome of the visit would increase bilateral relations and serve as a turning point in the expansion of the two countries’ defense cooperation.
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