Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi discussed security cooperation, the dissolution of PKK/KCK, the organization’s affiliates, PJAK, organized crime, drug trafficking and irregular migration with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. Çiftçi said that PKK/KCK had been forced to lay down its arms and dissolve itself as a result of the fight against it, and that the dismantling of its affiliates in Syria and Iraq was important for regional peace. Stating that PJAK should also join the process, Çiftçi warned that those opposing the process could cross into Iran and increase the organization’s influence.
Çiftçi reported that 32 thousand 848 people had been arrested in 2026 in thousand 592 operations targeting 562 organized crime organizations and in 38 thousand 915 drug operations, and that 36 tons of drugs had been seized; he noted that they were open to cooperation with Iran on cross-border crimes. Calling for the strengthening of extradition and deportation processes as well as relations with Interpol, Çiftçi urged increased coordination on border measures and greater information sharing in human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Momeni thanked Turkey for its support in the war imposed on them and for condemning the killings. Stating that they supported a solution with PKK, Momeni called for Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria to act together, and for PKK, PJAK and their branches to lay down their arms and end their existence. He advocated improving cooperation on terrorism, drugs, smuggling and extraditions.
Why it matters
The fact that the agenda addresses terrorist organizations, organized crime, drug trafficking and irregular migration together shows that Turkey-Iran coordination is not limited solely to border security. The topics of extradition, deportation, Interpol and information sharing indicate that cooperation could affect judicial and diplomatic processes as well as operations on the ground. The call for the four countries to act jointly reveals that the presence of PKK, PJAK and affiliated structures in different countries is viewed as a regional security issue. However, it remains unclear whether PJAK will join the process and what concrete measures will be taken against the possibility of crossings into Iran. In addition, the incorrect naming of Turkey’s Interior Minister in the report requires verification before publication to ensure that the statements are attributed to the correct person.
Background
PKK is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 3 reports mentioning the name in the past 90 days; the latest is dated 15 September 2026.