Iran Says 'Terrorist' Attack Inside Turkey On A Key Pipeline Has Halted Natural Gas Exports

Al Jazeera: Iran says 'terrorist' attack inside Turkey halts natural gas flow

Iranian official says attack took place near Iran's Bazargan border with Turkey.

Iran's natural gas exports to Turkey have stopped after a "terrorist" attack on a pipeline inside Turkey, an Iranian official told state television.

"This morning, terrorists attacked a natural gas pipeline inside Turkey near Iran's Bazargan border with Turkey ... flow of gas has been halted," said Mehdi Jamshidi-Dana, director of National Iranian Gas Co on Tuesday.

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WNU Editor: Natural gas exports is one of the few revenue streams that the Iranian government has right now. This deliberate attack has just made Tehran's fiscal situation worse. There is also no guarantee on when it will be repaired. The Covid-19 pandemic is gripping both Iran and Turkey right now, and workers will probably feel reluctant to go out in the field to repair this damage.

More News On A 'Terrorist' Attack Inside Turkey On A Key Pipeline Has Halted Natural Gas Exports From Iran

Iran-Turkey gas exports halted after pipeline explosion near border -- Middle East Eye
Huge blast at Iran-Turkey pipeline halts gas supply -- Arab News
Iran Blames "Terrorists" For Pipeline Explosion On Turkish Border, Gas Exports Halted -- Zero Hedge
PKK blamed for Turkey-Iran gas line explosion -- The National
Terrorist Attack Halts Iranian Natural Gas Exports To Turkey -- OilPrice.com

Iranian Diplomats Implicated In The Murder Of A Dissident In Istanbul

Iranian dissident Masoud Molavi Vardanjani in Istanbul [Twitter]

Reuters: EXCLUSIVE-Iranian diplomats instigated killing of dissident in Istanbul, Turkish officials say

* Vardanjani was shot dead in Istanbul in November
* Police say victim was cyber expert and critic of Tehran
* Iranian sources say Revolutionary Guards warned Vardanjani
* One suspect smuggled back to Iran, official says

ISTANBUL, March 27 (Reuters) - Two intelligence officers at Iran's consulate in Turkey instigated the killing last November of an Iranian dissident in Istanbul who criticised the Islamic Republic's political and military leaders, two senior Turkish officials told Reuters.

The accusation is likely to strain ties between Turkey and Iran, two regional powers which had grown closer under the government of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Masoud Molavi Vardanjani was shot dead on an Istanbul street on Nov. 14, 2019, a little over a year after the Turkish officials say he left Iran.

A police report into the killing, published two weeks ago, said Vardanjani had an "unusual profile". It said he worked in cyber security at Iran's defence ministry and had become a vocal critic of the Iranian authorities.

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Update #1: Iranian diplomats instigated killing of dissident in Istanbul, Turkish officials say (Middle East Monitor)
Update #2: Another Khashoggi? Iran murdered dissident in Istanbul, why the cover-up? (Jerusalem Post)

WNU Editor: What we know is that an Iranian by the name of Masoud Molavi Vardanjani defected from Iran. He fled to Turkey. And then was murdered in Istanbul. Clearly someone wanted him death. The only question that remains unanswered is .... will the Turkish government investigate this case with the same intensity as they did with murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Iran Confronts Turkey In Syria's Afrin Region

Jerusalem Post: Conflicting interests: Iran confronts Turkey in Syria's Afrin region

The chances for a deepening crisis in Afrin are growing.

On Monday night, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan phoned Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani. Sources fed local rosy statements to media about “cooperation in the fight against terrorist elements” and Rouhani said the two leaders discussed “plots to disintegrate regional states.”

But behind the scenes Iran is quietly opposing Turkey’s operation in the mostly Kurdish Afrin region in northwest Syria. Tehran is a key ally of Damascus but is reticent to confront Turkey, with which it enjoys amicable relations.

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Update #1: Afrin puts Turkish-Iranian-Russian mistrust on full display (Al-Monitor)
Update #2: Turkey and Iran face off in a new battle in Syria (Washington Post)

WNU Editor: Iran does not want to find itself in competition with Turkey on what happens in Syria .... and they certainly do not want Turkey to be a major player in deciding what happens in Syria when the major fighting dies down. But short of using their own militias to confront the Turkish military .... Iran's options on what to do in this case are very limited.

Turkish President Erdogan: Turkey And Iran Will Be Launching Joint Military Operations Targeting Kurdish Militants. Iran Is Denying These Reports

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) with the Iranian Chief of General Staff Mohammad Baqeri, Ankara, August 16, 2017. (Photo: AA)

Reuters: Erdogan says Turkey and Iran discussing joint action against Kurdish militants

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey and Iran have discussed possible joint military action against Kurdish militant groups, after talks in Ankara last week between the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces and Turkish leaders, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters before departing on an official visit to Jordan, Erdogan also said a more effective struggle against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and its Iranian affiliate, PJAK, would be possible through joint action with Iran.

"Joint action against terrorist groups that have become a threat is always on the agenda. This issue has been discussed between the two military chiefs, and I discussed more broadly how this should be carried out," Erdogan said.

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WNU Editor: Iran is denying these Turkish reports .... Iran Denies Joint Operation with Turkey against PKK (FARS News Agency). More Iranian denials here .... Iran denies joint operation against Kurds with Turkey (AFP). But according to other sources, Iran is hoping that it will be the Syrian government that will be responsible for reining in these Syrian Kurdish forces .... Ankara-Tehran to enable Syrian gov control over US-backed Rojava: Top Iranian general (Kurdistan 24).

More News On Reports That Turkey And Iran Will Be Launching Joint Military Operations Targeting Kurdish Militants

Iran, Turkey form common front against Kurdish ‘militants’ -- Arab news
Iran, Turkey could attack Kurds jointly -- AFP
Details of Turkey-Iran military operation in northern Iraq disclosed -- Trend
Details of Turkey-Iran military operations in Iraq revealed -- Azer News
Move against Kurd rebels on Turkey-Iran agenda: Erdogan -- The Nation
Erdogan: Possible Turkish-Iranian Operation against Kurdish Groups -- Asharq Al-awsat

A Turkey-Russia-Iran Solution To Syria?

Daily Sabah: Turkish, Russian, Iranian trilateral coordination to be established on Syria


With the normalization of bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia, Turkish media outlets have reported that Moscow has taken diplomatic steps toward establishing a permanent solution to the ongoing Syrian civil war with a trilateral coordination group of Turkey, Russia and Iran. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed the significance of Syria in a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, and said: "Russia, Iran, Iraq and Turkey must unite for Syria. … We are neighboring countries to Syria. We must discuss Syria with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, but we must no longer discuss Syria with those countries that do not have relations with it." Media has reported that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with Syrian opposition representatives on Aug. 16, which Russia has confirmed, initiating efforts to establish the trilateral coordination group with Turkey and Iran to end the ongoing civil war.

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Update #1: Turkey considering military ties with Russia as NATO shows unwillingness to cooperate – Ankara -- RT
Update #2: Turkish Foreign Minister Pays Surprise Visit to Iran (AP)

WNU Editor: I am sceptical that such an "arrangement" will be put together .... Turkey is still calling for the removal of Syrian President Assad.

Iran Willing To Provide Evidence Of Turkeys Involvement In The Islamic State's Oil Trade

The routes of alleged oil smuggling from Syria and Iraq to Turkey © Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation / Facebook

RT: Iran ready to present proof of Turkey’s oil trade with ISIS – Tehran official

Iran has evidence of illegal oil trade between Turkey and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) – and is ready to deliver the information to Ankara and the public, a state official said. Tehran has gathered photos and video footage of oil trucks entering Turkey.

“If the government of Turkey is not informed of Daesh [derogatory term for IS] oil trade in the country, we are ready to put the information at its disposal,” Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaie as saying on Friday.

Rezaie elaborated that Iran is in possession of photo and video evidence of IS oil entering Turkey in trucks, adding that Iran is ready to broadcast the information.

Update #1: Iran has evidence of Turkey-Daesh oil trade: Senior official (Press TV)
Update #2: Iran Has 'Irrefutable Evidence' of Turkey-Daesh Cooperation (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: These revelations are extremely damaging to Turkey. Zero Hedge's analysis on the impact of these disclosures on Turkey is probably right .... Iran Has "Irrefutable Evidence" Of Turkey's Role In ISIS Oil Trade (Zero Hedge)

Update #3: Even Iraq is now willing to provide evidence of Turkish involvement in the ISIS oil trade .... ISIS smuggles majority of oil through Turkey, says Iraqi PM amid ‘sovereignty violation’ rift (RT)

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).

Turkey And Iran Split Over Syria And Patriot Missile Deployment

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. © RIA Novosti. Sergey Guneev

Ahmadinejad ‘Shuns’ Turkey After Iran’s Top Brass Warns Against Patriots -- RT

NATO missiles on the Turkish-Syrian border are a prelude to 'World War', warns Iran’s top general. Following the remarks, the country’s leader, President Ahmadinejad, reportedly cancels his visit to Turkey.

­Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dropped the upcoming visit to Turkey’s Anatolian province from his schedule, Hurriyet daily reported Sunday. There he was expected to attend a religious holiday and hold talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

An unexpected item has arisen on Ahmadinejad's agenda, Today’s Zaman reported quoting an anonymous Turkish diplomat.

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Update #1: Iran warns against Patriot deployment on Syria frontier -- Reuters
Update #2: Iran president cancels Turkey visit amid Syria rift -- Reuters

My Comment: I can only imagine how "sour" this relationship will be when the Syrian regime under Assad finally collapses.

Turkish - Iranian Talks On Syria Ends With A 'Warning' From Turkey

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. Press TV

Turkey Issues "Frank, Friendly" Warning To Iran -- Reuters

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Turkey warned Iran "in a frank and friendly manner" against blaming Ankara for violence in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday, a day after holding talks with his Iranian counterpart.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi flew to neighbouring Turkey on Tuesday seeking to mend a relationship sorely strained by the Syrian uprising and to secure Turkish help for 48 Iranians kidnapped in Syria on Saturday.

Turkey was incensed by comments this week by Iran's top general Hassan Firouzabadi, in which he blamed Turkey for the bloodshed in Syria and accused Ankara, alongside Saudi Arabia and Qatar, of helping the "war-raging goals of America."

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Update: Turkey irked by Iranian general's words, but will help release hostages: FM -- Hurriyet Daily News

My Comment: The Syrian civil war is a huge mess for both governments .... and one that is getting more violent and destructive .... a fact that is dawning on both Middle Eastern powers.

Turkish PM Erdogan: Military Threats Against Iran Are Unacceptable

Erdogan: Military Threats Against Iran Unacceptable -- YNet News

Turkish Prime Minister visiting Islamic Republic, meets with Iranian foreign minister; slams bellicose language directed against Tehran.

Friends with Benefits: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for a two-day visit. The focus of the visit: Iran's nuclear program and bilateral ties.

Upon his arrival he was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi who chose the visit to announce that long-stalled talks between Iran and world powers are to be revived on April 13 at a place yet to be agreed.

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More News On Turkey's Remarks That Military Threats Against Iran Are Unacceptable

Turkish PM Erdogan in Tehran for nuclear talks -- The Guardian
Erdogan: Peaceful nuke program shouldn't be attacked -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters
Erdogan Rejects 'Outside Pressure' on Iran -- Arutz Sheva
Iran's nuclear program a focus of Turkish leader's Tehran visit -- L.A. Times
Turkey's PM in Iran for talks on nuclear program -- SFGate/AP

Turkey Intercepts Material For Missiles, Chemical Weapons Bound For Syria

Report: Turkey Intercepts Material For Missiles, Chemical Weapons On Iranian Trucks -- Haaretz

Turkish newspaper 'Taraf' reports Turkish authorities stopped four trucks two weeks ago; IAEA asks Turkey for report on contents of the trucks.

Material for manufacturing missiles and chemical weapons has been discovered by the Turkish authorities on Iranian trucks heading to Turkey, Turkish media reported on Friday.

The Turkish newspaper “Taraf” reported that Turkish authorities, who stopped the trucks two weeks ago at customs, had found material on board the trucks which could be used for manufacturing missiles and chemical weapons.

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My Comment: Why is Iran shipping missile parts and chemical weapon ingredients to a country in the middle of a civil war .... this looks very ominous.

Senior Turkish Diplomat:: No Evidence Of Iran Atomic Bomb Program

Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu

West Has No Evidence Of Iran Atomic Bomb Program, Senior Turkish Diplomat Says -- Haaretz

Head of Organization of Islamic Cooperation tells Haaretz at Doha conference that Tehran has right to peaceful nuclear program, rejects military intervention.

DOHA - There's no evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said on Monday, adding that even a recent and critical report by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog did not provide concrete of nefarious nuclear ambitions.

Speaking at the Brookings Doha Center, the Turkish diplomat, who many see as a natural successor to Turkish President Abdullah Gul, also said, in response to an Haaretz query, that every country had a right to develop a peaceful nuclear program.

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My Comment: These remarks by this Turkish diplomat would normally be ignored .... but he is the one who is well positioned to assume the Presidency of Turkey if the present Turkish President Abdullah Gul should decide to resign. The fact that he is now contradicting UN reports on Iran's nuclear program .... as well as choosing to ignore comments from Iran's leadership on Middle Eastern affairs and their nuclear goals .... is disturbing to say the least.

Turkey Intercepts Materials Vital For Iran's Nuclear Program

Turkey: Materials Likely Destined For Iran Nuclear Program Seized (video) -- Christian Science Monitor

Turkey is determined to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, Namik Tan, Turkey's ambassador to the US, said Thursday. It intercepted materials Iran might have used to advance its nuclear program, he says.

Turkey has intercepted materials destined for Iran that could have been used to advance Tehran’s nuclear program, Turkey’s ambassador to Washington said Thursday.

The Turkish official, Namik Tan, said Turkey, as Iran’s neighbor, is perhaps more determined than other more distant countries to keep Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, and he suggested that Turkish-Iranian relations are deteriorating over the nuclear issue.

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My Comment: The Turkish ambassador makes the official Turkish position very clear .... Turkey's strategic and vital interests in the region will be directly impacted by Iran having a nuclear weapon, and because of that Turkey is against Iran's nuclear weapon's program.

For the Iranians .... I guess the message is also very clear .... if they want to procure nuclear materials, the conduit country of choice should be through their neighbor in the east .... which is Pakistan.

Iran Threatens Military Operations Against Turkey If Their Nuclear Sites Are AttackedBy Israel And The U.S.

Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh
Commander of the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says in case of a military movement against Iran, NATO's missile shield in Turkey will be Iran's first target. Press TV

Iran To Tit Turkey If Nuclear Program Targeted By Israel, U.S., General Says -- Haaretz/AP

Threat by senior Revolutionary Guard commander comes after another Iranian general says Tehran would strike Israel's nuclear facilities if it was attacked.

A senior commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard says the country will target NATO's missile defense shield in Turkey if the U.S.¬ or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic.

Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guards' aerospace division, is quoted by the semiofficial Mehr news agency as saying the warning is part of a new defense strategy to counter what it sees as an increase in threats from the U.S.¬ and Israel.

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More News On Iran's Threats Against Turkey

Iran says could target Turkey missile shield -- Reuters
Iran threatens to hit Turkey if US, Israel attack -- AP
We'll hit NATO shield if threatened: Iran -- Sydney Morning Herald
Iran threatens to strike Turkey, if US and Israel attack -- Global Post
Iran Threatens to Attack Turkey, Israel if Attacked -- Arutz Sheva
Iran threatens to target NATO missile shield in Turkey -- RIA Novosti
IRGC Commander: Iran to Target NATO Missile Shield if Attacked -- Fars News Agency (Iran)
Iran attacks Turkey's NATO shield, if hit -- Press TV (Iran)

Iranian Arms Shipment To Syria Intercepted By Turkey

Turkey Confirms Seizure Of Iranian Arms Shipment To Syria -- Today's Zaman

Turkish diplomatic sources approached by Today's Zaman have confirmed that an arms shipment from Iran to Syria was intercepted by Turkey.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said the incident took place two-and--half months ago in the southeastern province of Kilis. The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) was already aware of the transportation in a convoy of trucks.

Turkish officials said the original transport papers designated the shipment as “spare parts for guns” when Iranians declared them to custhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifom officials upon entry. An examination of the contents revealed that it matched the declaration. Yet Turkish officials suspected the shipment may have violated the UN arms embargo imposed by the Security Council and decided to seize the contents.

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More News On Turkey Intercepting An Iran Arms Shipment To Syria

Turkey Stops Suspected Iranian Arms Shipment to Syria -- Voice of America
Report: Turkey captures Iran arms shipment to Syria -- World Tribune
Turkey stops arms shipment to Syria -- AJC/AP
Report Says Turkey Stops Suspected Iranian Arms Shipment to Syria -- Voice of America
Germany's Daily: Turkey thwarts Iran weapons shipment to Hezbollah -- Trend
Report: Turkey thwarts Iran weapons shipment to Hezbollah -- Haaretz
Report: Turkey Seizes Another Iranian Arms Shipment -- Arutz Sheva

After Centuries Of Peace, Iran Is Now Threatening Turkey

Iran Threatens Turkey, Reveals Missile Silos -- Pajamas Media

Soon those silos will contain nuclear-tipped missiles.

Iranian regime-run site Entekhab reports:

According to sources close to the Iranian regime, who were interviewed by Al-Manar [Hezbollah affiliated TV run out of Lebanon], Iran’s resolve is as strong as a rock and defending Damascus is as much of a priority as defending Beirut and Tehran. … Tehran does not meddle in any of the events taking place in Syria.

Quoting the Iraqi daily newspaper Al-Akhbar, Entekhab wrote:

Tehran has threatened Turkey by announcing that Iran will bomb every single NATO and U.S. base in Turkey, should they allow any attacks on Syria to be launched from within Turkish soil. The Iranian regime believes protecting Syria to be as important as protecting both Lebanon and Iran.

Though Iranian regime officials have claimed that this threat has not affected Turkish-Iranian relations, there are reports that privately a number of Turkish officials are extremely incensed by the Iranian regime’s belligerence. So far, neither Iran nor Turkey has publicly commented on this matter.

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My Comment: More info on how the Iran - Turkish balance in the region is changing (and its consequences) can be read here.

What Good Are Iranian Sanctions If Turkey Decides To Ignore Them

Turkey Aims to Triple Iran Trade, Despite International Sanctions -- Wall Street Journal

ISTANBUL—Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that Ankara is seeking to triple trade volumes with Iran over the next five years, in comments likely to raise concern in Washington at a time when U.S.-led sanctions are deterring many investors from doing business with the Islamic Republic.

In a speech in Istanbul to business delegates interested in investing in Iran's mainly state-owned machinery, automotive and textile industries, Mr. Erdogan said the two countries were near signing a "preferential trade agreement" that could see trade volumes swell to $30 billion in the period.

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More News On Turkey Breaking International Sanctions On Iran

Turkey to increase trade with Iran despite sanctions -- Jerusalem Post/AP
Turkey's PM tells businessmen to boost Iran trade -- Reuters
Turkey to boost Iran trade -- Financial Times
Turkish Prime Minister Calls for Expanded Trade with Iran -- Voice of America
Turkish PM wants closer trade links with Iran -- AFP
Turkey seeks closer trade ties with Iran -- AP