TEHRAN – Iran’s envoy to Ankara met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Saturday to discuss bilateral cooperation between Iran and Turkey, as the two countries move towards enhancing ties in different fields. 

Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh and the Turkish official stressed the development of relations, pointing out numerous commonalities and historical ties between Iran and Turkey. 

Guler had a phone call with the highest-ranking Iranian commander in June, shorty after being appointed. The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri proposed a joint military drill between the two nations, as a way of promoting military ties. 

“The common borders between the two states further necessitate the continuation of cooperation,” the Iranian commander said. 

The Saturday meeting came after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s official visit to Turkey was postponed. Raisi was reportedly set to visit the country on November 28, but had to postpone his trip due to unstated reasons. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Iran in October, and held meetings with his Iranian counterpart as well as the president.