Türkiye Coordinates Regional Security Missions in Afghanistan and Iran

Türkiye launched a series of diplomatic and security initiatives across the region to address transnational threats. İbrahim Kalın, head of the National Intelligence Organization of Türkiye, visited Kabul and Kandahar, Afghanistan, on September 16 and 17. He met with Afghan Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and other senior officials to deepen intelligence sharing and coordinate efforts against human smuggling and terrorism. In Kabul, Kalın also joined Qatari Deputy Secretary Hamad bin Khamis Al-Kubaisi in talks with Mujahid to consolidate security and defense ties between Afghanistan, Turkey, and Qatar.

Simultaneously, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Ankara on September 16. The ministers focused on dismantling PKK/KCK and PJAK affiliates following the PKK's dissolution as part of the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process. Ciftci reported that Türkiye conducted 1,592 operations against organized crime in 2026, seizing 36 tons of drugs. The two officials agreed to strengthen Interpol cooperation to expedite extraditions and implement joint measures to stop migrant smuggling along their shared border.