Iranian FM meets Turkish president, PM in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Turkish president and prime minister received Iranian foreign minister in Istanbul Saturday, official sources said.

The closed-door meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif lasted for about an hour at the Yildiz Palace, according to presidential sources.

Prior to his meeting with Erdogan, Zarif met Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for an hour and 15 minutes at the Prime Ministry's Office in Dolmabahce Palace, Prime Ministry sources said.

Earlier Saturday, Zarif also met with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Addressing a joint press conference following the meeting, Iranian minister condemned Saturday’s terror attack in Istanbul. "I offer my condolences to the Turkish people for those who died in the attack," Zarif said.

Cavusoglu also slammed Saturday’s suicide bomb attack.

"Turkey needs an unflinching fight against terrorism," he said. "We expect the support of the world, especially Europe, in our fight."

Five people, including the suicide attacker were killed and 39 others were injured in an explosion on Istanbul’s popular Istiklal Street Saturday, Turkish officials said.