Turkish, Iranian presidents discuss Syria over phone

By Ilkay Guder

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani talked about the latest developments in Syria in a phone call on Tuesday, according to a presidential source.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, said the source, who refused to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Stating Turkey’s clear stance against the use of chemical weapons, Erdogan said it is important to not allow tensions to escalate and evaluate the incidents within its context.

The leaders spoke about Syria's territorial integrity, adding that it was important to continue the joint efforts by Turkey, Iran Russia for a lasting political solution to the Syrian crisis as part of the Astana peace process.

Also, the leaders expressed their desire to boost bilateral economic relations.

The phone call came after the U.S. in coordination with France and the U.K. conducted on Saturday a series of military strikes targeting the Assad regime's chemical weapons capabilities in retaliation to a suspected chemical attack in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, earlier this month.