Pezeshkian: Enemies’ plot is to spread and continue terrorism

The Iranian president made the remarks during a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Thursday, as the two sides discussed recent developments in Iran, regional security, and the expansion of bilateral relations.

During the call, President Pezeshkian stressed that the massive public pro-government rallies by the Iranian public thwarted the plots and defeated the objectives of those behind the recent unrest. 

President Pezeshkian thanked the Turkish government and people for their firm, principled, and brotherly support for the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

He outlined the nature of recent events in Iran, stressing that hostile actors are seeking to spread instability, terrorism, and insecurity across the region by creating internal crises within Islamic countries.

Pezeshkian noted that peaceful protests by some merchants and trade groups over economic difficulties caused by sanctions were being responsibly negotiated and managed. However, he said organized terrorist groups, backed by the United States and the Israeli regime, escalated violence by attacking mosques, public and government facilities, emergency services, and security forces. 

He emphasized that the massive and conscious participation of the Iranian people ultimately thwarted these plots.

The Iranian president also praised the support of Islamic countries, expressing confidence that unity and cooperation among Muslim nations would help counter terrorism and move the region toward lasting peace and stability. 

Highlighting the strong and positive state of Iran–Turkiye relations, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s determination to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and invited President Erdogan to Tehran for the ninth meeting of the Iran–Turkey High Level Cooperation Council.

President Erdogan, for his part, expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the recent incidents and stressed that Iran’s peace, stability, and security are of strategic and vital importance to Turkey. 

He commended Iran’s principled and structured approach to managing protests and welcomed the economic measures taken to ease tensions. 

Erdogan reiterated Ankara’s firm rejection of any interventionist scenarios against Iran and conveyed his warm greetings to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, as well as the Iranian government and people./irna