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ISTANBUL, June 16-- Turkey and Iran held positive talks during a two-day visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to Turkey this week, trying to bring back on track the bilateral ties eroded by their differences over regional issues, experts said. "Relations between Tehran and Ankara are close in various fields but require further consultations," Zarif was quoted by media outlets as saying during his visit on Sunday and Monday. The Iranian top diplomat's trip coincided with a last-minute cancellation of a visit by two top Russian officials to the Turkish city to focus on the Libyan crisis, where Ankara and Moscow back opposing parties. Iran and Turkey also support opposing parties in Syria and Iraq. Out of security concerns, Turkey's foreign policy has been dominated by the developments in these two countries in recent years. After its recent Spring Shield Operation in Syria's northern province of Idlib and the ongoing military incursions in northern Iraq, Turkey is increasingly converging with its NATO ally the United States while its common understanding with Iran is eroded, observers argued. "The main issue of contention discussed during Zarif's visit was the security issue stemming from Iran's proxy attacks in Idlib. Their actions have caused a tension in bilateral relations," said Sabir Askeroglu, an expert from the Center for Iranian Studies. "Turkey has seriously warned Iran regarding its proxies in Syria, and Zarif came to Turkey to prevent a further deterioration in ties and to express his administration's good will in this matter," Askeroglu told Xinhua. | 
