Ayatollah Khamenei calls for end to aggression against Yemen

TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says a halt to the military aggression against Yemen and foreign meddling in the country is the only solution to the crisis plaguing the Arabian Peninsula state.

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with Turkish President Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Tuesday, according to press TV.

The Leader said the crisis in Yemen is one of the problems in the Muslim world and stressed, “The stance of the Islamic Republic with regard to all countries including Yemen is opposition to foreign intervention. Therefore, from our point of view, the solution to the crisis in Yemen is also the halt of foreign intervention and attacks against the people of this country.”

Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed that the “Yemenis should decide the future of their country,” adding, “Today, the United States and the Zionists are happy with differences among Muslim countries and the solution to these problems is cooperation between the Islamic countries and taking practical and constructive measures.”

The Leader also stressed that regional countries will not benefit from trusting the West and the US, adding that everyone can clearly see the outcome of the measures taken by the West in the region which is to the detriment of the region and Islam.

Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to developments in Iraq and Syria and violent acts of terrorist groups in these countries, adding that those who fail to see the role of the enemy in the crises in these countries have deceived themselves.

The Leader said the US and the Israeli regime are most satisfied with the developments in the region and do not want an end to the scourge of the ISIL Takfiri group.

“Who supports these currents financially and logistically?” the Leader asked, pointing to the brutalities by the ISIL Takfiri group and other terrorist groups in the region.

The Leader further stressed the need for the expansion of relations between Iran and Turkey, adding, “The strength of every Muslim country is, indeed, the strength of the Islamic world and the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is that the Islamic countries should strengthen each other.”

Ayatollah Khamenei then pointed to the phenomenon of the “Islamic awakening” and the insatiable thirst of the nations for Islam as main reasons for the rising sensitivity of the enemies, saying “For a while now, the enemies of Islam have launched their counterattack against this awakening and the unfortunate reality is that some Muslim governments are betraying (the others) and putting their money and facilities at the service of the enemy.”

Ayatollah Khamenei further touched upon the current situation in Iraq and highlighted Iran’s assistance to the Iraqi government in its battle against the terrorists, saying, “Iran has no military presence in Iraq, but the two nations of Iran and Iraq have historic, deep-rooted, and very close relations.”

The Turkish president, for his part, emphasized the need for the Islamic world to stand on its feet in resolving the existing problems, saying “There are many problems in the region which we should resolve together and one should not wait for the West to resolve these problems.”

Erdogan also condemned the crimes and atrocities committed by ISIL terrorist group, saying he doesn’t recognize the Takfiri group as Muslims.

 Iran, Turkey urge joint action against extremism

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have called for the expansion of joint efforts aimed at fighting terrorism and extremism in the Middle East.

“The two sides agree on the view that instability, insecurity and war should stop in the entire region,” President Rouhani said in a joint press conference with the Turkish president in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Tuesday.

The Iranian president also stated that Tehran and Ankara should boost bilateral efforts to tackle terrorism in the region, saying, “Together, we should fight terrorism and extremism in order to achieve brotherhood between Muslims and people in the region.”

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Erdogan arrived in Tehran earlier in the day on an official one-day visit to hold talks with senior statesmen of the Islamic Republic. The Turkish president immediately started talks with Rouhani in Tehran’s Sadabad Complex, before heading to a high-level meeting of the Iran-Turkey economic cooperation.

Rouhani said he and Erdogan have held “detailed discussions” on the ongoing conflict in Yemen, adding that the two sides emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Arab country.

Rouhani said the establishment of such a ceasefire could pave the way for sending humanitarian aid to Yemen, adding that Iran and Turkey and other countries should help peace and stability be restored to the Arab country. The president expressed hope that in Yemen “an inclusive government is established through dialogue.”

After the high-level meeting between Rouhani and Erdogan, the two presidents and their accompanying ministers attended the Iran-Turkey High Council of Economic Cooperation session, which saw major agreements finalized between the two sides, including agreements on the expansion of cooperation in energy, transportation and commerce sectors as well as the private sector investment. The Iranian president said the two sides have also agreed to broaden their cultural and academic cooperation. Iran and Turkey will also work for tougher security along the border.

Iran, Turkey should take steps forward

The Turkish president, for his part, said the two countries are determined to open a new chapter in bilateral relations, saying that the time has changed and Iran and Turkey should expand cooperation on various issues.

Iran and Turkey will from now take forward steps in mutual cooperation, Erdogan stated, adding that the two countries could become a role model for the other states in the region.

He further touched upon the current situation in Iraq and Syria, saying that Tehran and Ankara should cooperate on the issue as a matter of Islamic unity.

Erdogan emphasized the need for dialogue in order for the bloodshed in countries such as Iraq to stop.

 

I.Z.