Leaders of Turkey and Iran call for action on Syria at Muslim summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the ongoing crisis in Syria during the D-8 summit in Cairo, emphasizing the need for urgent action, AFP reports. Erdogan called for unity and reconciliation, stressing the importance of restoring Syria’s territorial integrity,and fostering a future free of terrorism, where all ethnic and religious groups coexist peacefully.

Pezeshkian urged collective efforts to alleviate suffering in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, calling it a religious and moral duty to prevent further harm. This was the first meeting between Turkish and Iranian leaders since the ouster of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Egypt and Iran have been rebuilding strained ties through increased diplomatic exchanges, reflecting a shared concern over regional conflicts.

The summit, attended by eight Muslim-majority countries, focused on economic cooperation and pressing regional issues. Established in 1997, the D-8 includes Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia.