Turkey-Iran relations have been improving along with an increase in high-level visits between leaders of the two nations in recent months. Ankara hosted Mottaki to discuss regional issues on July 17. The visits come as prospects emerge for Turkish mediation between Iran and the international community, which is urging the Islamic republic to halt its contentious nuclear program.Iranian President Ahmadinejad was expected to visit Ankara some time in August to support warming relations between the two countries. Turkish diplomats said the exact date of the visit had not yet been determined and that they were still working on the details. Babacan also spoke about the planned visit before his own departure to Tehran, saying a date had not yet been set. The Turkish press had reported previously that Ahmadinejad would visit Turkey Aug. 14.
Turkey and Iran are also coordinating their security measures against terrorist Kurdish groups based in northern Iraq. Turkish jets hit terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets on Tuesday, followed by shelling from Iran at terror groups in its Kurdish region. Turkey's military has said Turkey and Iran sometimes coordinate strikes against Kurdish terrorists who use bases in northern Iraq as a springboard for attacks in Turkey and Iran.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Babacan stressed that "time is very valuable" in nuclear talks. He said Turkey was in close contact with both Iran and six major powers party to the talks, noting also that both sides were happy with Turkey's involvement.
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