Iran, Turkey summon diplomats as tensions soar over Syria, Kurds: What to know
Turkish and Iranian tensions have intensified after the top Turkish diplomat criticized Tehran's use of proxy forces in an interview with Al-Jazeera Arabic last week.
ANKARA — Tensions between Turkey and Iran rose on Tuesday after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized Tehran’s policy of using proxy forces in the region as a foreign policy tool while the two regional powers increasingly clash over the future of Syria and other issues.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera Arabic last week, Fidan called Iran's policy of exerting influence in regional countries through Shiite proxy groups a threat to regional stability. His comments came in response to a question about how the fall of the Iran-backed Syrian regime in Damascus would impact Turkish-Iranian ties.
“This type of foreign policy may seem successful in the short term, but in the long run, it becomes a heavy burden on both the Iranian system and the region,” Fidan said in the interview.
Earlier Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Turkish Ambassador Hicabi Kirlangic had been summoned in protest of Fidan's comments.
