TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi on Tuesday called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to express sympathy with Turkey after the deadly earthquake and offer humanitarian aid to the neighboring country.
In a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Ebrahim Raisi expressed his condolences and sympathies with the Turkish government and nation, and said, “Iran and Turkey are friends and brothers in addition to being neighbors, and the nation and government of Iran will stand by the Turkish government and nation at this difficult time.”
Announcing the readiness of Iran to meet the immediate relief needs of the Turkish side, the President expressed hope that with the efforts and measures of the Turkish government, the suffering of the people of the country would be alleviated as soon as possible.
The Turkish President, for his part, expressed gratitude for his Iranian counterpart’s goodwill and sympathy with the Turkish government and nation and asserted,“This is the biggest earthquake in the last 50 years in Turkey.”
Erdogan also expressed hope that they can finish the initial rescue relief measures as soon as possible.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian also assured his Turkish and Syrian counterparts that Iran will assist the two Muslim nations in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has killed thousands of people.
In a telephone conversation with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad on Monday, the top Iranian diplomat extended sympathies to the government and people of Syria over the massive earthquake in the country.
He said Iran is ready to give humanitarian relief to Syria.
In a separate phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran stands with the people and government of Turkey in the difficult situation.
“Based on the directives by the esteemed president, the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for full cooperation with you and for delivery of the required assistance. Accordingly, tonight, a medical and rescue team of the Red Crescent Society of Iran arrives in Turkey to offer help in the process of rescuing the injured in the quake-hit areas,” the Iranian foreign minister added.
“In addition to the dear people of Turkey, we are also concerned about the situation of Iranians and students living in the quake-hit areas and would like to thank your assistance in helping their situation,” Amir-Abdollahian noted.
The death toll from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the southeastern region of Turkey along the border with Syria has continued to rise.
At least 2,921 deaths have been reported in Turkey, while 1,444 people have died in Syria. The death toll is likely to keep rising.