Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Istanbul on January 30 for meetings with Turkish officials to discuss regional issues amid what he described as serious challenges posed by US objectives in the region, Jamaran reported on January 30.

"Currently, regional issues are very serious and there are significant challenges, and the goals expressed by the United States and others certainly require us to have closer consultations," Araghchi told reporters upon arrival at the airport.

The visit follows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's trip to Iran several months ago. Araghchi said Iran and Turkey, as two major neighbours, maintain close consultations and have strong relations across political, economic, social, and cultural spheres.

"We need to review regional issues, coordinate our positions, and exchange views on ways to deal with these challenges and ways to overcome them," Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister's visit to Turkey comes as tensions rise in the region, with a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group approaching Iranian waters and the European Union designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation on January 29.

Prior to the arrival of the Iranian foreign minister, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the US military build-up. 

During the call, President Erdogan reportedly emphasised Turkey’s readiness to play a facilitation role between Iran and the US to reduce tensions and "address existing issues,"  Iran's state news Mehr reported.