Iran’s FM Visits Quake-Hit Areas in Turkey

Amirabdollahian traveled to Adiyaman, a city in southeastern Turkey, on Wednesday.

He visited a camp set up by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) to help those affected by the recent earthquakes.

Speaking to reporters, the top diplomat pointed to the effective and timely contributions made by the IRCS and by Iran’s Army and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in relief and rescue operations and providing medical services, stressing the Islamic Republic’s continued support for the people affected by the tragic event.

He expressed hope that the people and government of Turkey will put the crisis behind them as soon as possible.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in neighboring Turkey earlier in the day “to express sympathy with the Turkish government and people” over last month’s devastating earthquakes.

He also held talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

“I have come to this country to express sympathy with the Turkish nation and government,” he said at a joint press conference with Cavusoglu.

“We will also discuss the latest international developments and bilateral relations in a meeting with the Turkish foreign minister,” he added.

Two devastating 7.8 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes and a series of aftershocks struck southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria on February 6.

The official death toll has exceeded 52,000 in both countries, with millions still displaced and in desperate need of basic assistance.

Thousands of buildings have been collapsed or heavily damaged in the powerful tremor.

Iran was among the first countries that rushed to the aid of both Turkey and Syria by sending tons of medical, food and sanitary aid. Teams from the IRCS, IRGC and Army were also dispatched to the quake-stricken areas for search and rescue operations.