Despite strained relations, Erdogan to visit Iran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Tehran on Tuesday and hold talks with top Iranian officials, despite recent tensions over Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is leading a bombing operation against Shiite Houthi rebels, reports the Patria News Agency.

Some Iranian MPs have called on the government in recent weeks to cancel the previously announced visit because Erdogan publicly supported the operations led by Saudi Arabia.

This refers to the bombing of positions of the Yemeni Houthis, rebels with whom Iran is allied. Erdogan publicly criticized Tehran, accusing it of "trying to dominate the region".

Erdogan, along with a delegation including Turkish ministers, will visit Iran and hold talks with President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Turkish presidency announced.

The two countries are linked by strong economic ties.