Hawzah News Agency (Tehran, Iran) - On his visit to Tehran, Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran on October 4, 2017.

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his entourage, this evening  (Wednesday), stressed the need for increased economic cooperation between the two countries, he also considered an agreement and cooperation between Iran and Turkey, on major issues of the Islamic world, extremely important and influential. Referring to the interests of the United States and the Zionist regime in organizing a referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, his eminence reminded them, "The United States and foreign powers are unreliable and seek to create a 'new Israel' in the region."

He emphasized the need to expand on economic cooperation between the two countries, adding: "Unfortunately, despite the many capacities, the level of economic cooperation in recent years has not made any progress, increased efforts are needed in this regards."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed his gratitude for the cooperation between Iran and Turkey at the Astana summit; furthermore, mentioning the improved situation in Syria as a result of cooperation;--wherein, he noted, "The issue of Daesh and Takfiris will not end this way (without cooperation); solving this problem requires a long-term and realistic plan."

Additionally, he stated that the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan is a betrayal to the region and a threat to its future. Ayatollah Khamenei then pointed out the negative long-term consequences of the referendum for neighbors, emphasizing, "Iran and Turkey should take every possible step in confronting this (referendum); and, the Iraqi government must also seriously decide on it and act."

Ayatollah Khamenei considered cooperation, consultation, and serious political and economic decision making between Iran and Turkey, while addressing these issues to be extremely important, pointing out: The US and European governments look at this issue from a completely different point of view, compared to that of Iran and Turkey. The United States wants to maintain an everlasting and disruptive agent against Iran and Turkey; therefore, Americans and Europeans, and their positions cannot be trusted in any way.

Ayatollah Khamenei, addressed the Turkish President, stating, "As you pointed out the recent events primarily benefit the Zionist regime, secondly, they benefit the US government."

Referring to the enemy's efforts to distract Iran and Turkey and to divert the two countries from the important issues of the region, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, "The foreign powers, especially the Zionist regime, are seeking to create a 'new Israel' in the region and create a means for dispute and division."

His eminence stressed, "With a long-term and strategic vision toward the recent issues, serious and rapid decisions must be taken, and the issues must be encountered by a single action."