Iran: Turkey should not help Syria

• Tweet

ANKARA, Turkey, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- An Iranian official said Turkey should focus on "its own internal affairs" instead of intervening in fighting between insurgents and the government in Syria.

Hossein Nakavi, spokesman for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, accused Turkey of supporting terrorist groups in Syria, Today's Zaman reported.

"Turkey's support is, perhaps, not only leading to the deaths of innocent people in Syria but also jeopardizing Turkey's own safety," Nakavi was quoted saying Wednesday by the Iranian parliament's news agency ICANA. "Turkey is now faced with an internal crisis. Ankara, instead of meddling in Syria and making hostile declarations regarding this country, should focus on resolving its own internal affairs."

Nakavi's comments came after nine people were killed and 60 others were injured in Gaziantep in southeast Turkey Monday night. Officials said explosives were hidden in a truck parked near a police station and were then detonated.