Friday, March 27, 2015

The Turkey - Iran Feud Goes Public

Iranian President Hasan Rohani shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Tehran's Saadabad palace in January 2014. (AFP/File)

Reuters: Turkey's Erdogan says can't tolerate Iran bid to dominate Middle East

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Iran on Thursday of trying to dominate the Middle East and said its efforts have begun annoying Ankara, as well as Saudi Arabia and Gulf Arab countries.

Turkey earlier said it supports the Saudi-led military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen and called on the militia group and its "foreign supporters" to abandon acts which threaten peace and security in the region.

"Iran is trying to dominate the region," said Erdogan, who is due to visit Tehran in early April. "Could this be allowed? This has begun annoying us, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. This is really not tolerable and Iran has to see this," he added in a press conference.


Update: Turkey supports Saudi mission in Yemen, says Iran must withdraw -- France 24

WNU Editor: Some of the language that the Turkish government is using is harsh .... Turkey's Erdogan says Iran and 'terrorist groups' must leave Yemen, France 24 reports - @Reuters (Breaking News). The Iranian response is/was predictable .... Iran accuses Turkish leader Erdogan of fomenting regional strife (Reuters). But even with these differences, Turkish President Erdogan is still going to Iran next month .... Turkey spokesman rules out change in Erdogan's Iran visit (Al Bawaba).

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