Iran Thanks Türkiye for Solidarity While Missiles Keep Crossing Its Airspace
By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted a message in Turkish on X on March 14, expressing gratitude to Türkiye for its support during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
"During these blessed days of Ramadan, the prayers and solidarity shown by the brotherly Turkish nation and the friendly Republic of Türkiye for the Iranian people are a great source of strength and morale for us," Araqchi wrote.
He added that Iran would continue to defend its sovereignty and the security of its people. "We believe that justice and peace will prevail. We sincerely thank you for your prayers and support," he said, addressing Türkiye directly.
Posting in Turkish rather than Persian or English was a deliberate choice, directed at the Turkish public as much as at the government in Ankara.
Missile Incidents and Diplomacy Running in Parallel
The message came as Türkiye and Iran have maintained an active diplomatic channel throughout the conflict. Fidan called Araqchi following each of the three Iranian ballistic missile interceptions over Turkish airspace, conveying formal protests while keeping lines of communication open. Araqchi told Fidan that the missiles were not launched from Iranian territory and that Tehran would investigate.
Despite those incidents, Türkiye has not joined the US-Israeli military campaign, has called for an immediate ceasefire, and has publicly condemned the strikes on Iran. Fidan confirmed on March 7 that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him Washington has no intention of arming Kurdish groups in Iran, a central Turkish concern as the conflict has widened.
Türkiye has also been in contact with both Washington and Tehran in an effort to facilitate a halt to the fighting, though no breakthrough has been reported.
A Relationship Under Pressure
The warmth of Araqchi's message sits alongside genuine operational tension. Three Iranian ballistic missiles have been intercepted over Turkish territory since March 4. Iran has denied responsibility for each. Türkiye has intercepted them and lodged protests while stopping short of any escalatory response.
President Erdoğan said on March 13 that keeping Türkiye out of the conflict remains the government's top priority, and warned the public to resist sectarian and ethnic incitement being stirred up alongside the military incidents. Fidan separately stated that Türkiye is completely opposed to any plan aimed at triggering a civil war in Iran along ethnic or religious lines.
Araqchi's decision to write in Turkish on March 14 appears aimed at reinforcing the political goodwill that Türkiye's neutrality has generated in Tehran, even as the two governments continue to dispute what has been flying through Turkish airspace.