On September 16, 2026, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci and Iranian official Eskandar Momeni met in Ankara to coordinate security efforts. The bilateral meeting focused on counter-terrorism, organized crime, and managing irregular migration across their shared borders.
The 36-tonne drug seizure and Turkey's "Terror-Free Türkiye" push
Turkey has significantly ramped up its domestic security operations as part of the "Terror-Free Türkiye" initiative. according to the report, the country conducted 1,592 operations in 2026, targeting 562 different organized-crime groups, 78 of which were specifically involved in drug trafficking. a major component of this crackdown has been the fight against narcotics , with officials reporting the seizure of 36 tonnes of illicit drugs.
The scale of these law enforcement efforts is underscored by the sheer volume of arrests made during drug-related activities. The source notes that 38,915 drug-related operations resulted in 32,848 arrests, highlighting the intensity of the current crackdown on transnational crime syndicates.
Neutralizing PKK and PJAK affiliates in Syria and Iraq
Security officials in Ankara and Tehran are prioritizing the dismantling of Kurdish insurgent networks that operate across regional borders. Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci specifically urged Iran to assist in neutralizing PJAK, which serves as the insurgent wing of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
The meeting addressed the evolution of terror networks, noting that while the PKK has officially disarmed, new-generation crime syndicates are emerging from its former structures. Both Mustafa Ciftci and Eskandar Momeni emphasized that eliminating these affiliates in Syria and Iraq is essential for regional stability and the prevention of further insurgent activity.
Interpol coordination and the fight against irregular migration
Strengthening international law enforcement ties is a central pillar of the new agreement between Turkey and Iran. Eskandar Momeni called for tighter cooperation between the Interpol offices of both nations to better combat smuggling and terrorist planning.
Border security along the Turkey-Iran frontier is also set to receive increased attention to curb illegal human smuggling.. The two ministries plan to establish joint task forces aimed at interdicting narcotics and dismantling the smuggling rings that exploit irregular migration routes. This includes aligning investigative protocols to better protect the homeland and curb illicit activity.
The challenge of integrating Iraq and Syria into the security pact
While the meeting established a strong bilateral foundation, several critical questions remain regarding the broader regional implementation.. The report mentions a "collective resolution" involving Iraq and Syria, but it remains unclear how these two nations will be formally integrated into the joint security framework or if they will participate in the same capacity as Turkey and Iran.
Furthermore, the source does not specify the exact operational structure of the proposed joint task forces or how intelligence will be shared in real-time between the ministries. it is also unverified how the two nations will manage the complex political landscapes of Syria and Iraq to ensure that anti-terror efforts do not trigger further regional instability.
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