TEHRAN (Iran News) The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance stated that the relations between the nations of Iran and Türkiye are old and historical, and said: “The two governments have had and continue to have good relations and common positions on various issues.”

Abbas Salehi said let’s end the year 2025 with quality cultural programs in Iran and Turkey.

In a meeting on Saturday with Hejabi Kerlankic, the Turkish ambassador to Tehran, Salehi said: “The relations between the peoples of Iran and Turkey are old and historical, and the two governments have had and continue to have good relations and common positions on various issues. God willing, we will end the year 2025 with high-quality cultural programs in Iran and Türkiye.”

Abbas Salehi said let’s end the year 2025 with quality cultural programs in Iran and Turkey.

In a meeting on Saturday with Hejabi Kerlankic, the Turkish ambassador to Tehran, Salehi said: “The relations between the peoples of Iran and Turkey are old and historical, and the two governments have had and continue to have good relations and common positions on various issues. God willing, we will end the year 2025 with high-quality cultural programs in Iran and Türkiye.”

Abbas Salehi said let’s end the year 2025 with quality cultural programs in Iran and Turkey.

In a meeting on Saturday with Hejabi Kerlankic, the Turkish ambassador to Tehran, Salehi said: “The relations between the peoples of Iran and Turkey are old and historical, and the two governments have had and continue to have good relations and common positions on various issues. God willing, we will end the year 2025 with high-quality cultural programs in Iran and Türkiye.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Najafzadeh, who is visiting Turkey with a delegation from the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iran’s Parliament), highlighted the strategic importance of mutual relations and shared geographical and security interests. He stressed that security in Turkey is of great importance to Iran and affirmed Iran’s readiness to cooperate with Turkey in combating terrorism. “Any security threat is a threat to both nations,” he stated.

Najafzadeh underlined that Iran is pursuing new strategies to broaden bilateral cooperation and declared the Iranian Parliament’s willingness to remove legal obstacles that may hinder the development of Iran-Turkey relations.

Members of the Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Group echoed these sentiments, expressing enthusiasm about the countries’ vast potential for cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and security fields.

Kayhan Turkmenoglu, head of the Turkey-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group, noted the over 400-year history of friendly ties between the two countries. He emphasized that relations have always been reciprocal and trust-based. He also advocated for increased trade volume, pointing to the strategic role of border markets between the two nations.

Turkmenoglu, who represents the city of Van in the Turkish Parliament, described terrorist groups active in both Iran and Turkey as “enemies of the Islamic world,” calling for stronger bilateral cooperation to eliminate them.

He also condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and urged the international community to raise its voice in support of a permanent ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

The Iranian parliamentary delegation was warmly received upon arrival in Ankara by Kayhan Turkmenoglu and other members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

On the first day of their visit, the delegation toured the Turkish Parliament and met with several key officials, including Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly; Adil Karaismailoğlu, Chair of the Commission on Public Works, Transportation, and Tourism; Vahit Kirişci, Chair of the Commission on Rural Affairs, Forests, and Agriculture; and Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz.

During the second day, the delegation held meetings with Ömer İskurt, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Serdar Çam, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism; and Mustafa Tuzcu, Deputy Minister of Trade.

Discussions throughout the visit focused on reinforcing bilateral ties and enhancing parliamentary cooperation amid ongoing regional developments. Specific topics included cross-border markets, the opening of new border crossings, strengthening transportation and transit routes, cultural and tourism exchanges, regional partnerships, and joint efforts in border security and counterterrorism.

Najafzadeh also conveyed an official invitation from the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament to the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament to visit Tehran.

Members of the Iranian delegation include Seyyed Jamal Mousavi, Mohammad Mirzaei, Rouhollah Lak Aliabadi, Mohammad Alijani, and Yaghoub Rezazadeh.

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TEHRAN (Iran News)  Iran’s Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad-Hassan Habibzadeh says Tehran supports any process that would eradicate terrorism in the region and strengthen security among neighboring countries.

During a meeting with the secretary general of Turkey’s National Security Council, Okay Memis, in Ankara on Saturday, Habibzadeh stressed cooperation between the two neighbors, especially on peace and stability in the region.

Both sides believed that increased security cooperation between Tehran and Ankara is key to countering shared threats.

They also discussed the ongoing developments in Syria and the course of indirect talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program and the termination of sanctions against Iran.

Tehran has welcomed an announcement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disband and halt its armed struggle against Turkey, expressing hope that it would help with regional peace and stability.

During a meeting with the secretary general of Turkey’s National Security Council, Okay Memis, in Ankara on Saturday, Habibzadeh stressed cooperation between the two neighbors, especially on peace and stability in the region.

Both sides believed that increased security cooperation between Tehran and Ankara is key to countering shared threats.

They also discussed the ongoing developments in Syria and the course of indirect talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program and the termination of sanctions against Iran.

During a meeting with the secretary general of Turkey’s National Security Council, Okay Memis, in Ankara on Saturday, Habibzadeh stressed cooperation between the two neighbors, especially on peace and stability in the region.

Both sides believed that increased security cooperation between Tehran and Ankara is key to countering shared threats.

They also discussed the ongoing developments in Syria and the course of indirect talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program and the termination of sanctions against Iran.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a high-level meeting with deputy ministers and managing directors of Iran’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs), Masroor announced that detailed studies and follow-up efforts are underway to create joint economic zones with Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.

Masroor emphasized the importance of forming a joint free zone with Turkey and called for the establishment of an active Iran–Turkey working group to accelerate the initiative. He revealed that a key meeting with Turkish investors and representatives from Turkey’s FTZs is scheduled for July in one of Iran’s own free zones.

The idea of cross-border FTZs reflects Iran’s strategy to bypass sanctions and create new regional economic lifelines. Turkey, as Iran’s western neighbor and a major regional power, plays a strategic role in Iran’s trade plans, especially amid growing pressure on Iran’s economy due to international sanctions and limited access to global financial systems.

Masroor criticized the sluggish progress of certain free zone projects that have remained incomplete for over a decade, urging decisive and time-bound action. “There are development plans in some zones that have been left unresolved for 10 to 15 years. These issues require specialized task forces, but task forces alone are not enough. Problems must be addressed structurally and at their root,” he said.

He called on the heads of each FTZ to be directly involved in these task forces and ensure that tangible outcomes are achieved within six months. He also stressed that the overall investment climate in the free zones must improve significantly, with incentives for investors being approved and implemented without delay.

“Investment zones were created specifically to attract capital,” Masroor said. “What has been done in the past must now be followed by a visible leap forward.”

A key theme of Masroor’s remarks was the importance of investor satisfaction. He noted that new investors often base their decisions on the experiences of others, making responsiveness and results critical to sustained interest in the zones. He also stressed that the success of FTZs depends on the support of local communities.

“In regions where the local population is more actively present, their satisfaction is crucial. Investment projects must be transparent and clearly communicated to ensure local backing,” he said.

The Iranian government, now in its 14th administration, has reportedly placed greater emphasis on public service and community engagement as part of its development strategy. Masroor said that local satisfaction is now one of the key performance indicators for the FTZs.

Masroor reiterated that the FTZs are not meant to cater to domestic markets but are designed to drive export-led production. “These zones were created for production and export. Selling to the domestic market is not their purpose and can create complications,” he stated.

He urged zone managers to develop serious plans to attract knowledge-based companies, which he described as the “engine of production.” The zones are expected to provide tailored incentives and streamlined licensing processes to facilitate this.

Additionally, Masroor announced that executive guidelines for a new financial agency to support investment in FTZs would soon be issued. These agencies will act as facilitators to attract capital and provide financing solutions for projects within the zones.

Tourism was another focus of the meeting. Mehdi Mazinani, Deputy for Culture, Social Affairs, and Tourism, reported that the Aras Free Zone led the country in tourist attraction during the recent Nowruz holidays compared to the previous year.

Masroor also highlighted the need to improve tourism infrastructure, including addressing issues such as the electric power supply in Kish Free Zone and ensuring health services for visitors.

As Iran navigates complex regional and international dynamics, joint FTZs offer a potentially transformative tool for strengthening ties with neighboring countries, circumventing sanctions, and promoting economic resilience. However, success will depend on swift execution, meaningful investor support, and active engagement with local communities.

With the upcoming meeting with Turkish investors on the horizon, eyes are now on how fast these plans will materialize and whether Iran can deliver on its ambitious vision for economic revitalization through regional collaboration.

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TEHRAN (Iran News)  Iranian and Turkish trade delegations have reviewed the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation and explored mechanisms to achieve the target of $30 billion in trade.

Reza Masroor, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Free Trade Zones, led a delegation to Turkey to enhance cooperation in free trade zones. The delegation met with Turkish Trade Ministry officials to assess joint projects and investment opportunities.

Masroor’s visit also included a tour of Istanbul’s free trade zone and meetings with Turkish traders and business figures.

Following the discussions, Turkey’s Trade Ministry issued a statement on X, outlining the key topics addressed during the meetings. The ministry said that the Iranian delegation met with Mustafa Tuzcu, Turkey’s deputy trade minister.

The talks centered on implementing agreements reached at the eighth meeting of the Iran-Turkey High Council for Cooperation, particularly in the realm of free trade zones and special economic areas.

Turkey also reiterated its commitment to enhancing economic ties through trade and investment, in line with the $30 billion trade goal set by the countries’ presidents.

Ambassador: $7 billion increase in Iran-Turkey trade

Iran’s ambassador to Turkey also highlighted the steady rise in bilateral trade, stating that trade volume between Tehran and Ankara reached $11.8 billion last year and surpassed $17.5 billion by February this year.

Speaking during a virtual meeting of the Iran-Turkey Joint Transport Committee, Hossein Habibollahzadeh projected that the trade volume could reach $19 billion by year-end.

Emphasizing the importance of transit development, Habibollahzadeh said that trade and transport volume between the two countries had increased by $7 billion this year.

However, he underscored the need for significant infrastructure upgrades in rail, air, sea, and port sectors to sustain and expand this growth.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Turkey and Pakistan have joined an international chorus of criticism of an Israeli decision to stop the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with both countries saying that the decision constitutes a “blatant violation of international law.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday, condemning the Israeli decision “in the strongest possible terms.”

“This latest action is part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much needed humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in dire need. This constitutes yet another blatant violation of international law by the occupying power, and could imperil the ceasefire agreement,” said the statement released on the official website of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

“We call on the international community to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and to hold Israel accountable for imposition of collective punishment through denial of humanitarian aid to millions of civilians,” the statement further said.

In a statement also issued on Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel for denying the Palestinian people access to essential supplies, saying that the measure constitutes “a blatant violation of international law”, Anadolu news agency reported.

Tel Aviv’s decision, intends to “collectively punish” the Palestinians, and also undermines efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the ministry further said in its statement.

It called on the international community to take swift action to guarantee the “unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid” to Gaza and ensure that Israel fulfills its obligations, the statement added.

Israel blocked the entry of goods and supplies to war-ravaged Gaza on Sunday, a day after the first phase of a ceasefire deal with Hamas expired.

The regime said it did so because Hamas had refused to accept a U.S. proposal that called for the extension of the first phase and the release of the Israeli prisoners still held in Gaza, without talks being held on the second phase. “Turkey”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also rejected Hamas’ proposal for a permanent ceasefire as “totally unacceptable” and threatened the resistance movement with additional measures if it continues to refuse the U.S. proposal.

Hamas has said Israel’s blocking aid into Gaza is “cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack on the ceasefire agreement.” The movement has also said it wants the agreement to be implemented in all its stages.

Several Arab countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait also condemned Israel for suspending aid into Gaza which already faces a dire humanitarian situation because of the regime’s genocidal war that was paused on January 19 when the ceasefire took effect.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Mahmud Heidari, an aide to Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said that the common interests of Iran and Turkey necessitate avoiding “false statements” that could cause tensions in bilateral relations.

Heidari made those remarks as he met with Turkey’s Ambassador to Tehran Hicabi Kırlangıç on Monday, according to a press release by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

“The common interests of both countries and the sensitive conditions in the region necessitate avoiding false statements and unrealistic analyses that could lead to disagreements and tensions in bilateral relations,” the Iranian official said, in reference to remarks last week by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Iran’s policies in the West Asia region.

Heidari further said the continued aggression and expansionism by the Israeli regime is “the biggest threat” to security and stability in the region.

Key Islamic countries, he added, are expected to do their utmost effort to help stop Israeli aggression against the people of Palestine and other regional countries including Syria.

Hicabi Kırlangıç said on his part that Turkey’s stance focuses on maintaining and expanding good relations with Iran.

“We also believe that the two countries should have close cooperation to promote bilateral ties, regional interactions and address the existing threats,” the Turkish ambassador said.

He also said that he would convey views of the Iranian Foreign Ministry to the Turkish government.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh addressed reporters regarding the supply of spare parts for freight fleets. She emphasized that direct government intervention in fleet equipment supply is not the right approach. However, the government will facilitate the process, whether through domestic purchases or the importation of equipment and vehicles.

Regarding the latest negotiations with Turkey on removing fuel tariffs and the full-tank requirement, Sadegh stated:

“During recent meetings in Turkey, we successfully removed the heavy fuel tariffs imposed on Iranian trucks, as these charges had significantly disrupted transportation operations.”

She explained that Iranian drivers unexpectedly faced these tariffs while already inside Turkish territory, causing considerable difficulties. However, following negotiations, the issue has been resolved, and the fuel charges have been suspended.

Additionally, the Iranian government has also abolished the full-tank requirement for Turkish truck drivers. However, she noted that Turkish drivers still prefer to use Iranian diesel, despite the removal of this mandate.

Sadegh further elaborated that, as per the latest temporary agreements with Turkey, both the full-tank obligation for Turkish drivers and the fuel tariffs for Iranian drivers have been suspended. This temporary arrangement will be reassessed in three months during renewed negotiations aimed at resolving transportation issues between the two nations.

She also highlighted that Iran and Turkey will review fuel pricing mechanisms and address concerns over the inspection procedures for Iranian trucks, which she described as currently flawed.

Another key issue discussed was the need to increase freight weight limits and enhance cross-border traffic. According to Sadegh, the trade volume between Iran and Turkey should reach $30 billion, but current customs regulations and restrictions are hindering this goal. She stressed the importance of addressing these challenges to achieve the desired trade expansion.

Meanwhile Reza Akbari, the Head of the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, stated in a cordial meeting between the Minister of Roads and Urban Development and international transport unions that the issue of the Turkey border has been resolved. He mentioned that in recent months, problems arose at the Bazargan border, leading to several meetings to address them, ultimately resulting in positive decisions.

Addressing the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, he said: “During the minister’s visit to Turkey, intensive negotiations and meetings took place, and these discussions reached a conclusion. Those present at the meeting are eager to hear the results from the Minister.”

During the meeting, Khezri, Deputy of Transport at the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, stated: “In the field of transit, we have 1,785 active international companies across the country, with 50,000 transport fleets and 40,000 active drivers.”

He highlighted the growth of transit in 1402 (March 2023–March 2024) compared to 1401 (March 2022–March 2023), saying: “Last year, 14.75 million tons of goods were transported using 636,000 vehicles, with more than 9 million tons being non-oil goods, reflecting a 38% growth in this sector.”

The Deputy of Transport continued: “Additionally, in the first ten months of 1403 (March 2024–January 2025), we observed a 27% growth in transit, which is significant. During this period, 647,000 cargo fleet vehicles were active.”

Khezri further stated that since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an upward trend in transportation and transit, adding: “Since Farvardin 1399 (March 2020), transit has experienced relatively good growth, and despite a lack of support from regional countries, we have witnessed enthusiasm in this sector.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Ömer Bolat, during a joint press conference with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development on Monday, highlighted the 29th meeting of the Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission and the signing of the commission’s memorandum of understanding. He also referred to the target of achieving $30 billion in trade between the two countries and noted that trade between Iran and Turkey has increased in 2024, with Turkish companies investing approximately $2 billion in Iran.

The Turkish trade minister also pointed out key topics such as the reconstruction and modernization of border crossings on the Turkish side and efforts to operationalize them. He further discussed facilitating and streamlining transportation between the two countries, as well as enhancing trade, transport, and transit relations. According to him, both sides have reached agreements on these matters.

Iran’s Minister of Roads Farzaneh Sadegh, heading a delegation, traveled to Ankara today (Monday, January 29) to participate in a bilateral meeting with the Turkish ministers of transport and trade.

On the sidelines of the event, Iranian Minister announced the formation of a joint committee aimed at addressing transportation issues between Iran and Turkey. She stated that these efforts will lead to progress in the agreements made, according to the roadmap set for 2025.

Sadegh made these remarks, during a one-day visit to Turkey. The visit was aimed at attending bilateral meetings with Turkey’s Ministers of Trade and Transport.

Following his meeting with Turkish Minister of Trade, Bolat, Sadegh congratulated the Iranian nation on the occasion of Eid al-Mab’ath and highlighted the achievements of the visit. He noted that less than a month ago, after several years, Iran hosted the Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission meeting.

He added that during the meeting, agreements were signed not only in the transportation sector but also in areas such as currency exchange, energy, customs, agriculture, and other mutual interests.

Sadegh stated that, given the seriousness of both parties in implementing the signed agreements, he traveled to Ankara, Turkey’s capital, and first met with the Turkish Minister of Trade.

The Minister of Roads and Urban Development further emphasized that one of the key issues discussed was facilitating transportation across the borders of both countries. He noted that due to the deep cultural and historical ties between Iran and Turkey, as well as their strategic position in transit, both countries benefit from bilateral cooperation.

He pointed out that discussions were held today on facilitating transit and customs procedures between the two countries, and significant decisions were made in these areas.

Sadegh announced the formation of a joint committee to follow up on transportation-related issues between the two countries, emphasizing that these efforts will lead to progress in the agreed terms as per the roadmap for 2025.

On December 12 of this year, a memorandum of understanding on Iran-Turkey trade cooperation was signed in the presence of Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Turkey’s Minister of Trade. Both sides reiterated their commitment to boosting bilateral trade to $30 billion over the next five years.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, who was leading an economic delegation to Turkey, highlighted in a meeting with Iranian agricultural and food industry entrepreneurs that the government, Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, and diplomatic channels are focused on strengthening relations with neighboring countries, especially Turkey. The participation of over 180 economic stakeholders in this visit demonstrates the Iranian private sector’s readiness to engage more robustly in this endeavor.

Nouri Ghezeljeh reaffirmed the ministry’s support for agricultural product exports, noting that Iran’s nomadic products are a significant export potential. However, advancing this sector requires transformative changes in food and agricultural product packaging industries and streamlined licensing for export terminals. He also welcomed and supported the private sector’s participation in international agricultural and food exhibitions abroad.

Addressing efforts to resolve customs issues with Turkey for Iranian exporters, Nouri Ghezeljeh stressed that the 14th government’s guiding principle is adherence to legal frameworks. He emphasized the need to prevent arbitrary directives that could damage exporters’ credibility, promising that the government’s export policies would be announced transparently.

Nouri Ghezeljeh stated that private and cooperative sector activities are key to revitalizing Iran’s economy, adding that the government and the president firmly believe in supporting private sector initiatives.

He remarked that traditional governmental approaches lack efficiency awareness, whereas the private sector values capital efficiency and actively implements it. He pointed out that the 32% growth in agricultural exports over the past nine months reflects the private sector’s hard work and reaffirmed the need to eliminate barriers impeding private sector activities, production growth, and exports. The government remains steadfast in supporting the private sector.

Highlighting the determination of Iranian and Turkish officials for effective bilateral cooperation, Nouri Ghezeljeh noted the numerous agricultural commonalities between the two countries. He mentioned coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to involve experts from the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad in economic consultations with countries with significant agricultural exchanges.

Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, Iran’s ambassador to Ankara, praised the presence of economic stakeholders in Turkey, calling it one of the largest economic gatherings between the two nations. He noted that over 20% of Iran-Turkey trade volume is dedicated to agriculture, with bilateral trade exceeding $14 billion in the first nine months of 1403 (March to December 2024).

During the meeting, several agricultural and food industry entrepreneurs discussed challenges and barriers to agricultural production and export.

According to IRNA, on Thursday, Nouri Ghezeljeh led a commercial delegation of 180 Iranian economic stakeholders, traders, producers, and exporters from the agricultural sector to Turkey.

During the visit, Nouri Ghezeljeh toured Turkey’s largest gene seed bank and Ankara’s food control laboratory, engaging with officials to discuss the latest genetic technologies and initiatives related to food security.

Additionally, during this two-day visit, Nouri Ghezeljeh was scheduled to meet with Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli. He will also deliver a speech at the Iran-Turkey Agricultural Development Conference, attended by traders and private sector stakeholders from both countries’ agricultural industries, focusing on expanding international cooperation through agricultural diplomacy and regional food security.

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