Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Tehran on Tuesday evening after a landmark visit to neighboring Turkey, President Rouhani said the two governments have decided to dramatically expand their relations.
He also pointed to an unprecedented session of Iran-Turkey Strategic High Cooperation Council during his stay in Ankara, saying the two sides discussed the practical approaches to achieving a twofold increase in the level of ties in that meeting.
Earlier in the day, President Rouhani said in joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the high-profile council heralds “rapid enhancement of relations between the two countries in all fields.”
Rouhani was the first Iranian head of state to visit Turkey in 18 years. Several cabinet members, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Road and Urban Development, Oil, Communication and Information Technology, Interior, Culture and Islamic Guidance and Economy accompany President Rouhani in his two-day visit to Turkey.