Iran and Türkiye deepen security ties

Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Türkiye’s Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci held talks in Ankara on cooperation against terrorism, organized crime, border security, and irregular migration. Momeni said the two countries share deep historical ties and face common threats, arguing that security challenges on one side of the border affect the other. He called for closer coordination between Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, and Syria to build what he described as a lasting regional solution to militancy.

Momeni pressed for the disbandment of the PKK, PJAK, and their branches, saying peace is impossible while armed groups remain active. He congratulated Türkiye on reaching a political solution with the PKK and said Iran supports efforts to end violence through disarmament. He also stressed that Tehran is ready to expand cooperation on terrorism, smuggling, extradition, and border management, including through Interpol.

Ciftci said Türkiye is continuing to dismantle PKK-linked structures after the group’s dissolution and disarmament under the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process. He said the campaign also targets affiliates operating under different names in different regions, including PJAK, which Ankara views as a security threat. He warned that militants opposed to the process could move toward Iran, making regional coordination even more important.

The Turkish minister also pointed to Türkiye’s crackdown on organized crime and drug trafficking. He said authorities carried out 1,592 operations against 562 organized crime groups this year, including 78 drug-trafficking networks.

The ministers also discussed extradition and deportation procedures, with both sides calling for faster and more effective handling of requests.