Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan attend a joint press conference in Tehran on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Iran`s Foreign Ministry)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran is one of the most reliable energy suppliers for Turkey and is ready to extend a gas contract and enhance bilateral cooperation in the electricity sector.

Araghchi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Tehran on Sunday, emphasizing Tehran`s determination to strengthen energy ties with Ankara.

Iran currently supplies Turkey with about 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually under a contract signed in 2001. The 25‑year agreement is set to expire in mid‑2026.

Turkey has requested increased supplies due to rising energy demand in both household consumption and the manufacturing sector.

In July 2022, Iran and Turkey agreed to begin negotiations on a new gas export deal.

Araghchi said that during talks with his Turkish counterpart, the two sides underscored the need to remove barriers to trade and investment between the two countries.

He added that the two sides agreed to hold the meetings of the High-Level Cooperation Council and the Joint Economic Commission to specifically address the issues.

Iran expressed its readiness to expand relations in all fields, including the establishment of joint free trade zones and the activation of a new border crossing, Araghchi noted.

He said Iran calls for expert-level meetings to discuss the preferential trade agreement with Turkey.

Fidan, in turn, also underscored the need to boost cooperation between Turkey and Iran in trade, energy, and regional security.

"Trade and energy are top priorities, and we saw again today there is much more to be done," he said alongside Araghchi.

The Turkish foreign minister said the two sides had agreed to work to improve border security by installing more border gates and implementing logistics and transportation projects.

Iran, Turkey share the same stance on regional issues

Araghchi further pointed to his detailed discussions with Fidan about regional issues, saying, "Both sides have many commonalities in the region, and naturally, there are also shared concerns."

He added that the issue of Palestine and the importance of Tehran-Ankara cooperation to end the massacre of the oppressed Palestinians in Gaza were on the agenda of the talks.

Repeated violations by Israel in Gaza and Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Syria show that this regime has bigger plans to destabilize the region, the minister said.

"Repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and the recent attacks by the Zionist regime on Lebanon and Syria show that the regime is pursuing plans to destabilize the region," the top Iranian diplomat warned.

Israel`s occupation most serious threat to Syria

Araghchi said stability, security, and peace in Syria are directly linked with the country`s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

He added that Israel`s occupation poses the most significant threat to Syria`s security and stability, emphasizing that all regional countries are duty-bound to block the regime`s acts of aggression and expansionist policies in Syria and Lebanon.

Iran opposes extra-regional intervention in the Caucasus

The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that Tehran`s position is to maintain stability and security in the Caucasus through cooperation with regional countries and to avoid extra-regional intervention.

He described terrorism as an "unfortunate and common threat" to both countries and the region.

"We emphasize our commitment to combating terrorism within the framework of mutual cooperation," the top Iranian diplomat added.

He voiced Iran`s support for the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK) militant group and the realization of a Turkey free from terrorism.

The Iranian foreign minister stressed the necessity of dismantling all terrorist groups to achieve a region free from terrorism.

Back in July, the PKK members began to lay down arms at a ceremony in Iraq`s northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, marking an end to its armed struggle against Turkey in one of the world`s longest-running insurgencies.