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ANKARA: Turkey said on Thursday it had summoned Iran's ambassador to protest attacks on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Iranian press in the wake of a diplomatic crisis between Tehran and Riyadh.
Erdogan has refused to condemn Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent Shia cleric and activist Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr this month. The execution sparked outrage in Shia-majority areas of the Middle East, and protesters in Iran attacked two Saudi diplomatic missions, prompting Riyadh to sever diplomatic ties.
“We strongly condemn our president being directly targeted in certain articles in Iranian outlets controlled by the Iranian authorities... and demand that these articles cease immediately,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added that attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the kingdom's consulate in Iran's second city Mashhad were “unacceptable and deplorable”.
Turkey formally abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its bid to join the EU.
Erdogan on Wednesday said that Nimr's execution was an “internal legal matter” for Saudi Arabia, and ties between Ankara and Riyadh have improved in recent months. The Turkish leader visited Riyadh last month in a new sign of warming bilateral ties.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia, both overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim powers, share the same vision over the conflict in Syria where they believe only the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad can bring an end to almost five years of civil war.
Meanwhile, tensions have increased between Turkey and overwhelmingly Shia Iran, which along with Russia is the key remaining ally of Assad.
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Comments (39) Closed
Jan 08, 2016 12:47pm
Iran please don't drag turkey in your war.
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Jan 08, 2016 12:54pm
Turkey is about to cut off diplomatic relations with Iran due to their direct and indirect interference in other countries
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Jan 08, 2016 12:59pm
What a contradicting policies of Turkey and easily noticeable in this news. When Turkey is claiming the matter of execution of al Nimr an internal issue of Saudi government but taking instance over Syria that Bashar-al-Asad must be dismantled from his post as if it was not an internal issue of Syria. Hypocrisy at its best.
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Jan 08, 2016 01:05pm
@Philosopher (from Japan) : I think Turkey must not take such things to extreme. Anyone in Pakistan can criticize the P.M, president anyone so do the other world but when someone in Iran criticizing the Turkish president than people like you start calling it "Don't drag Turkey in your War". Please learn to comment without biases.
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Jan 08, 2016 01:05pm
We Pakistanis have condemned Mr. Erdogan more than Iran on his unjustified comments
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Jan 08, 2016 01:09pm
What kind of Turkish response is that. How can you control someone else to speak according to your wish and not criticize you. I think even Mr. Obama has been facing criticism on his policies from around the world and he has no issue in it.
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Jan 08, 2016 01:12pm
Erdoran is condemnable due to his twisted decisions.
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Jan 08, 2016 01:13pm
Diplomatic failure on part of Iran
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Jan 08, 2016 01:53pm
This non-democratic attitude made Mr. Erdogan resemble with Arab Monarchs who do not like any criticism look what they did to Sheikh Nimr
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Jan 08, 2016 02:14pm
@Shah Jee You should respect their laws rather than bashing others on behalf of third party. It seems that you never heard the word 'history' which explains how Iran's efforts to drag other countries in its own war might be. Just go and see the history of First world war and Second world war...but remember to get off the spectacles of prejudice. Stay calm stay blessed.
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Jan 08, 2016 02:46pm
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) "how Iran's efforts to drag other countries in its own war might be. Just go and see the history of First world war and Second world war" you are truly a PHILOSOPHER what Iran had to do with world war I and II ?
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Jan 08, 2016 02:55pm
There are no good guys in this sad story. This is simply a political power game. Nothing to do with sects. Sects are only being used/misused, while in fact this is all about power and dominance.
Al Saud, Erdogan and the Iranian elite always have, are and will continue to do all they can to keep their iron grip on their countries and to further extend their influence. Common men and their religious sentiments are just expandable resources.
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Jan 08, 2016 03:08pm
Outing bashar ul asaad is Syrian internal matter..why they both interfering in this matter?
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Jan 08, 2016 03:16pm
As if there aren't enough disputes already!
Turkey has already spoiled relations with Russia, Egypt, Syria, and Israel. Now it wants to create more hostility with Iran as well.
Is there any Muslim country left in the World which doesn't have problems with its neighbors - except maybe Brunei!? Who can mediate between two estranged parties if it already has problems of its own?
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Jan 08, 2016 03:31pm
In comparison...a liberal leader like Erdogan should be the face of the muslim countries today and not any Iranian
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Jan 08, 2016 03:50pm
@Haider... Yah liberal with your biased spectacles... Erdogan is such an guy who arrest youngsters and hand over 17 yrs of jail just for disrespecting his highness sultan Erdogan on facebook..
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Jan 08, 2016 04:05pm
Turkey Knows intentions of Iran, they are centuries old Sunni-Shia rivals
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Jan 08, 2016 04:25pm
"Turkey formally abolished the death penalty in 2004". This is not a true statement since Turkey is bombing the Kurd villages with men, women and children living in them.
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Jan 08, 2016 04:31pm
so criticizing PM/President is such a big deal? In india even a very ordinary person can criticize who they want be pm or president.
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Jan 08, 2016 04:37pm
Good you have to stand up to the bullies.
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Jan 08, 2016 04:52pm
@Islam I think you better read history too. Having said that Iran had initiated WWI or WWII but history shows that those wars were ignited on very small issues and later on companions from both sides jumped in. With a similar analogy, dragging a third country will cause another friend or foe to get in. Anyway, thanks for coming out from deep ignorance.
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Jan 08, 2016 04:58pm
Good on Turkey for standing up to Iranian bullying.
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Jan 08, 2016 05:11pm
@Shah Jee
interference in war torn syria is different and not comparable with an execution order by a court in KSA. Turkey even did not condemn 700 executions in Iran last year.
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Jan 08, 2016 05:12pm
From an outside perspective this clearly looks like a great game of power- KSA, Iran and Saudia.
All alliances are based on this power struggle. It is unacceptable that Iran protests against actions of a neighbouring nation.
The problem remains the same- religion/sect as a political unifier- which it is not.
Saudis should have anticipated problems and put the Sheikh behind maximum security prison.
The Turks are a race that still sees itself as a ruler --- Ottoman days are over dear Turks!
Too much wealth resides in all these nations and in the region. They have enough time to devote to non developmental issues. Its wealth is its bane as well.
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Jan 08, 2016 05:24pm
It is a clear war of two sects Shia nd Sunni and the people who are fanning are responsible for the harm to the cause of Islam. Turkey and SA should play a constructive role in unfortunate episode.
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Jan 08, 2016 05:25pm
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) : You don't always need to read history for making an opinion over a simple issue as the news is. How on earth could you stop some one to avoid criticism over any matter and how come it becomes an issue.
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Jan 08, 2016 05:29pm
The Saudi money and relations always bring hate and divisions in societies..... Turkey is also tilting towards Saudi Arabia ....and this is the result
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Jan 08, 2016 05:35pm
@Haider : Why not N.S should take the leadership. He is as much liberal as Erdogan.
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Jan 08, 2016 07:01pm
@Shah Jee than its fine. Make your opinion and try to keep it with you rather than bashing and interfering in others' opinion. Learn to respect criticsim and opposite views otherwise include yourself with Iran and KSA being intolerant.
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Jan 08, 2016 07:07pm
Mr Erdogan thinks he is the Emperor and he can order around everyone else.
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Jan 08, 2016 07:23pm
Erdogan has neo-totalitarian views. He has very low tolerance even with his own journalists, jailing many of them. In fact the stark resemblance between Erdogan and Saudis is striking.
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Jan 08, 2016 07:24pm
@Shah Jee every one in Pakistan etc allowed to criticize president, prime minister but Turkish president point off view which I agree cuz in Iran media is under the control of state irani govt so it is irani Govt who directly involved in this... Why u guys going to dai in support of Iran and if u remember Iran never support Pakistan ever in international front and always backing India n today it seems some Pakistan r more loyal to Iran then Pakistan due to religious factors why I have no answer?
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Jan 08, 2016 07:45pm
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) What history are you talking about. Iran has never attacked or invaded another country for last 350 years.Iran has a democracy working and they are a proud nation. Saudis are a brutal monarchy who are facing their own internal struggle for power. They are killing each other. You be careful what you sow, you have to reap it one day. Saudis are facing what they chose for others for so long.
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Jan 08, 2016 07:52pm
@bryan Where is Iran trying for power? They have helped Syria because of Israel and they were partners long before Saudis and Turkish decide to remove Assad. Who gave them the right to decide this? You know very well who is behind the curtains. Iran will always be on the side of The Oppressed, like Palestinians. Iran doesn't believe in sectarianism and their leaders have spoken against it numerous times.
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Jan 08, 2016 10:18pm
Erdogan is directly responsible for all the terrorism in Syria. Not only Iran but every Muslim country should condemn his policies. His involvement in oil business with ISIS needs UN investigation.
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Jan 08, 2016 10:32pm
We Pakistanis condemn Erdogan too. He is a NATO puppet who nurture ISIL and ruined Syria and Iraq.
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Jan 08, 2016 10:46pm
@Kabeer he is the only true leader left in the muslim world
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Jan 09, 2016 01:14am
both brotherly islamic countries need to resolve their issues by dialogue. Iran also need to stop destablizing middle east.
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Jan 09, 2016 02:35am
@Zahid before jumping in bandwagon you should carefully read what I said in my posts. I requested the Iran to not drag turkey in its war with KSA. I also referred history to ignorant people like you about WWI and WWI. Both those wars were started on small issues between two countries (ww1: Austria and Bosnia) than a number of friend and foe countries jumped into the war and world war had started. In ww2 Japan was in tussle with China in 1937 and later Poland and Germany started a quarrel in 1939, the world war begun. In current era of nuclear weapons. If any misdirected war would be started than the whole world will be destroyed. For sure, Iran and KSA have to reconcile rather than throwing oil on fire. And Pakistan should play a mediator role being a friend country if both these countries. Pakistani nation should calm down. What happened is a history now the dead can not be returned back so better to pray for their life after. Stay cool stay blessed.
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