Iran Angered by Turkish Comments; Dresses-Down Diplomats

Iranian officials summoned the Turkish Ambassador for a diplomatic dressing-down on Monday after becoming angry at comments made by Turkey’s president and foreign minister at the Munich Security Conference. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pointed fingers at Iran for destabilizing the Middle East, a charge that was received in Tehran with anger. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said his nation will be “patient” with Turkey but that “there is a cap for our patience.” The Turks responded once more, suggesting that the Iranians should “revise its regional policies and take constructive steps rather than criticizing countries that voice criticism of Iran.”