Iran rejects joint military operation with Turkey against PKK

"We have not planned any operations across the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran but will give a crushing response to any group, team or person intending to cross the Iranian territories for anti-security or terrorist acts," the statement said on Tuesday.

The statement, meantime, warned the terrorist grouplets that have deployed in Northern Iraq for the past several years and are backed up by Tehran's enemies to stir insecurity in Iran of IRGC's crushing and harsh response to any hostile move, and vowed to target their backup lines no matter where they are.

The statement came after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that a more effective struggle against the PKK and its Iranian affiliate, PJAK, would be possible through joint action with Iran.

"Joint action against terrorist groups that have become a threat is always on the agenda. This issue has been discussed between the two military chiefs, and I discussed more broadly how this should be carried out," Erdogan was quoted as saying by the Reuters.

Also, the Arabic-language al-Mayadeen news channel quoted Erdogan as saying that his country might conduct a joint operation with Iran against the PKK positions in Shingal and Qandil.

Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri started a three-day visit to Ankara last Tuesday heading a high-ranking politico-military delegation.

He said his trip was aimed at discussing enhanced cooperation on military and regional issues. Top Iranian and Turkish military chiefs in a meeting in Ankara on Tuesday discussed ways to improve the two countries’ security, particularly in border areas, and continue the fight against terrorism.



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