Iran's Foreign Ministry was quick to reaffirm backing for the Turkish government challenged by a military coup attempt that crumbled after crowds of people took to the streets in response to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call for support.
"While advising against any use of violence, the Islamic Republic of Iran backs the elected Turkish government," the ministry's spokesperson, Bahram Qasemi, was quoted as saying by the Iranian media.
An attempted Turkish military coup appeared to crumble on Saturday after crowds answered Erdogan's call to pour into the streets to support him and dozens of rebel soldiers abandoned their tanks in the main city of Istanbul, Reuters reported.
Dozens of people were killed in the violence that erupted on Friday after a faction of the armed forces attempted to seize power.
"Iran is monitoring the developments in the neighboring country carefully and strictly," Qasemi said.
He said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has made multiple phone calls to his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to take stock of the situation.
"We are deeply concerned about stability, security, unity, democracy and rule of law in Turkey," Qasemi added.
President Hassan Rouhani chaired a meeting of the Supreme National Security Council to discuss the latest developments in Turkey.
"We support Turkey's legal government and oppose any type of coup, either organized domestically or with support from outsiders," IRNA quoted Ali Shamkhani, the council's secretary, as saying after the meeting.
