Interior Minister Çiftçi and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni met at the Ministry of Interior to discuss counterterrorism, border security, organized crime and irregular migration.
The meeting addressed the dissolution and disarmament of the PKK/KCK within the framework of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process, as well as the dismantling of the organization’s extensions operating under different names and in different regions. Security risks posed by the PJAK structure in Iran and efforts to enhance security cooperation between the two countries were also on the agenda.
Çiftçi shares operational data
Çiftçi emphasized the importance of Türkiye and Iran acting in coordination and solidarity in the fight against terrorism and cross-border crime. Assessing the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process, he said the dismantling of the PKK/KCK’s extensions operating under different names and in different regions was being monitored following the organization’s dissolution and disarmament.
Çiftçi said the dismantling of the PKK in Syria and Iraq was important for regional peace, adding that the PJAK structure in Iran should also be included in this process. He also warned that members of the organization opposing the process should be prevented from entering Iran and making the organization more active there.
Çiftçi said 1. 592 operations had been carried out against 562 new-generation organized crime groups this year, adding that 78 of these groups were attempting to push young people toward drug use.
Çiftçi said 32,848 people had been arrested in 38,915 drug operations carried out in 2026 and that 36 tons of narcotics had been seized. Noting that Türkiye and Iran are located along the transit routes used by drug-trafficking and other cross-border criminal networks due to their geographical positions, Çiftçi called for more effective cooperation in these areas.
Extraditions and irregular migration on the agenda
The meeting also addressed extraditions and deportation procedures. Çiftçi said relations between Interpol units should be strengthened and that the extradition of individuals whose legal proceedings had been completed should be expedited.
Çiftçi said Türkiye was following Iran’s extradition requests within the legal framework and that they expected Iran’s contribution to completing ongoing procedures.
Çiftçi said joint steps to combat irregular migration should be increased, adding that Türkiye had built its migration policy on an integrated system that begins in countries of origin and aims to ensure safe, dignified and voluntary returns. He said border measures should be strengthened in coordination and information sharing should be increased in the fight against human trafficking and migrant-smuggling networks.
Momeni signals cooperation
Iranian Interior Minister Momeni highlighted the importance of cooperation between Türkiye and Iran in combating terrorism, organized crime, threats to border security and irregular migration, alongside the two countries’ historic relations. Momeni thanked Türkiye for its support during the war against Iran and for condemning terrorist attacks.
Momeni said they supported reaching a political solution on the PKK issue and that Türkiye, Iraq, Iran and Syria should act together for a lasting solution. He said the PKK, PJAK and all their extensions must end their activities and lay down their arms, adding that Iran viewed Türkiye’s security as its own security and Türkiye’s security similarly viewed Iran’s security as its own.
Momeni also called for increased cooperation in combating drug-related crimes, extraditions, Interpol matters, smuggling, terrorism and threats to border security. He said they were ready to jointly combat human-smuggling networks operating along the Türkiye-Iran border.
