Turkish, Iranian Defense Ministers Discuss Regional Developments Over Phone - Ankara

Turkish, Iranian Defense Ministers Discuss Regional Developments Over Phone - Ankara

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Thursday

ANKARA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2020) Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"Defense Minister Hulusi Akar held telephone talks with Iranian Defense Minister Amir Khatami and Iran's armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri. During the talks, the sides exchanged views on bilateral and regional defense and security issues, in particular the latest developments in the region," the ministry said.

Tensions in the middle East have significantly escalated after a targeted US drone strike in Baghdad killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in early January. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at the Iraqi bases hosting American forces. Reporting no casualties and "only minimal damage" to the facilities, Washington responded with sanctions on 17 Iranian metals producers and mining companies as well as eight senior Iranian officials.