Iran's Armed Forces Chief Visits Turkey for Talks on 'Border Security and Terrorism'

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces has traveled to Turkey to negotiate on 'border security, the security of both countries, and combating terrorism.' According to AFP, this 'unprecedented' visit will also discuss 'reducing differences in the Syrian crisis and coordinating the policies of the two countries regarding Iraq.' Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, emphasized 'greater consultation and cooperation on military issues and various regional matters' upon his arrival in Turkey, highlighting the 'hundreds of years of friendly relations' between the two countries. This visit comes just days after Turkey announced the construction of a border wall between Iran and Turkey. Baqeri, who arrived in Ankara at the official invitation of General Hulusi Akar, his Turkish counterpart, noted that 'it has been a long time since such exchanges have occurred between the two countries.' AFP reported that Baqeri is expected to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish Defense Minister during this three-day visit. Habib Hosseini-Fard, a Middle East analyst based in Germany, emphasized that 'over the past five to six years, especially in relation to the Arab Spring, the relations between the two countries have experienced various fluctuations and tensions.' He stated, 'Iran and Turkey were positioned on opposite fronts regarding their differences in the Syrian crisis. We should not forget that statements by former Chief of Staff Hassan Firouzabadi, who described Turkey as a factor in the bloodshed in Syria, led to a propaganda war between the two countries.' Nevertheless, Hosseini-Fard believes that in recent months, the two countries have managed to reduce differences on three or four issues and move towards interaction and dialogue. He pointed to 'Iran's opposition to the military coup against Erdoğan's government,' which he said 'pleased Erdoğan's government.' Before his trip to Turkey, Baqeri described the holding of a referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan to establish an independent political unit as 'the source of new problems and challenges in the region' that 'is by no means acceptable to Iraq's neighboring countries.' Hosseini-Fard considers 'the preparation for the Iraqi Kurds' referendum for separation from this country' a shared concern of both countries, stating, 'Tehran and Ankara have clearly opposed this referendum, which could motivate the Kurds in both countries to intensify their demands. The common positions of both countries in this regard naturally lead to joint measures and actions to nullify the aforementioned referendum.' According to Hosseini-Fard, 'the situation in Sunni areas of Iraq after the suppression of ISIS and the sensitivity both countries have regarding the military presence of the opposing side in this region' also provides a basis for consultations between the military officials of the two countries. Upon his arrival in Ankara, Baqeri stated that given the regional developments and issues related to the security of both countries, border security, and combating terrorism, 'this trip was necessary.' According to Iranian news agencies, Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is also accompanying Baqeri on this trip. This is considered Baqeri's first foreign trip since his appointment by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic to this position.