Turkish FM Condoles with Iran over Border Guard’s Death: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has expressed condolences over the death of an Iranian border guard reportedly killed by members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, vowing to follow up on the issue, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif late on Monday, Cavusoglu expressed condolences on the death of an Iranian border guard killed Monday afternoon in Maku border region, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said in a statement.
The Iranian foreign minister is currently on an official to Russia, attending a ministerial meeting of Caspian Sea littoral states underway in Moscow.
The top Turkish diplomat said PKK terrorists were behind the incident, in which several other people were also injured, the spokesman added.
Cavusoglu noted that Turkish authorities are following up on the issue and will inform Iranian officials of their findings accordingly, Qassemi further said.
“The Turkish Interior Minister also assured Iran’s ambassador to Ankara that the issue is being followed up, and the results [of the investigation] will be announced,” said Qassemi.
“The exact reason behind the incident is under investigation by relevant authorities and the (Iranian) Foreign Ministry,” he said.
Qassemi noted that four people were injured in the incident, adding they were taken to Kars hospital by Turkish forces and received treatment.
