TEHRAN (Press TV) -- A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday highlighted commonalities between Iran and Turkey, saying the two countries are capable of playing a leading role in shaping the future of the Muslim world.
"Iran and Turkey are two very important countries among Islamic states and can influence the future of the Muslim world,” the Leader’s aide on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, said in a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Riza Hakan Tekin.
He hailed the Turkish people’s success in thwarting the recent military coup in the country and countering efforts to break the nation’s resolve and resistance, while highlighting Iran's support for the Turkish government and nation against the coup plotters.
Velayati further urged Tehran and Ankara to tap into their common interests to strengthen cooperation in all fields.
"Some differences of opinion and views between the two sides will not deflect our attention away from the existing commonalities. This issue is very important for the expansion of relations between the two countries,” Velayati said.
The Turkish ambassador, for his part, said Ankara praises Tehran's stance on the sad events during the military coup.
He added that relations between Tehran and Ankara have reached their highest level over the past 10 years.
During a meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara in April, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran and Turkey have minor differences on certain regional issues but must boost cooperation in the campaign against terrorism.
"Such minor differences of opinion are also natural and we are ready for more consultations, particularly for the fight against terrorism and correct presentation of Islam to the world,” Rouhani said.
He added that Iran and Turkey must increase the volume of their trade ties to the set target of $30 billion given their common history, culture and interests.