Iran’s FM Urges Prudent Resolution of Turkey-Russia Tension

In his Friday message to Mevlut Cavusoglu, Zarif referred to the tension in Moscow-Ankara ties caused by Turkey’s recent shoot-down of a Russian jet, and urged the two sides to show prudence in resolving their problem.

“I am sure the problem that recently arose between our two neighboring and friendly countries in the region will be resolved through the two sides’ prudence,” Zarif noted in his message.

Once the problem is resolved, the Iranian minister reassured, “we could all join hands to fight the main problem of the region and the world, which is terrorism.”

Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian Su-24 near the Syrian border on Tuesday, creating tension in relations between the two countries. Turkey claims the incident happened after repeated warnings over air space violations, but Moscow said it could prove the jet had not left the Syrian air space.

Elsewhere in his Friday letter, Zarif also congratulated his Turkish counterpart on his re-appointment as the head of the neighboring country’s foreign ministry.

“I seize the opportunity and stress the necessity for continued consultations between the two countries in a bid to help resolve the problems in the region and the Muslim world, which are going through a very sensitive and complicated situation,” Zarif noted, highlighting the positive effects of such consultations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to form a new government last week after the ruling Justice and Development Party — founded by Erdogan and led by him for more than a decade— made a strong comeback in Turkey's Nov. 1 election.

Erdogan on Tuesday approved the new government led by Davutoglu, in which Cavusoglu has been re-appointed to the post of foreign minister.