ISIS may have built base in Turkey, Iran cautions ambassador

Iran has indicated the possibility of Islamic State militants being present in Turkey. The Islamic republic cautioned Hakan Takin, the Turkish ambassador in Tehran, that the possibility was “not unlikely.”

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the chairman of the Expediency Council, had a meeting with Takin on Wednesday. He asked the Turkish official to watch out for ISIS militants operating in the country.

Rafsanjani said that ISIS might have built bases in Turkey since its rise as a powerful militant organisation in the Middle East. He warned that the situation could “poison” the Turkish society. Rafsanjani added that Turkish officials should make “national interests” their top priority.

He also cautioned that there were ongoing efforts to damage the relation between Iran and Turkey, adding more bilateral cooperation would help “strengthen and sustain internal security” in both countries.

Takin asked Rafsanjani about Iran’s relation with Saudi Arabia. “Iran has declared several times that it seeks to expand relations in an atmosphere of mutual respect especially with Muslim and neighbouring states,” Rafsanjani replied, Iranian news agency Press TV reported. “In practice, we have proven that we cause no trouble for the regional states and they (Saudis) should not be deceived by the Zionists.”

Takin, on the other hand, said Middle Eastern countries should overcome differences and start negotiating with one another. He said differences among the countries were “natural” but the lack of unity among the Arab nations would help foreign forces establish their presence in the region.

NY Times reports Turkey has started facing threats from ISIS in Syria as well as Kurds at home. An online video, published on Monday, asked the Muslim population of the country to revolt against its president.

A recent attempt to form a new coalition government has failed in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been forced ask for a new election under the situation. The present political instability of the Turkish government may damage its willingness to be a part of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS forces, NY Times reports.

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