A Turkish soldier was killed on October 31 by fire that crossed the border from Iran, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday, adding that Tehran has opened judicial and administrative investigations into the incident.

The soldier was killed while trying to stop an illegal border crossing, the ministry said at its weekly press briefing. Turkish and Iranian officials met at the site on Tuesday, and Ankara is coordinating with Iranian authorities to establish the full circumstances of the incident, it added.

Separately, Turkey’s foreign minister spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, about negotiations between the United States and Iran and other regional developments, according to a source at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, addresses the media at a press conference during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 25, 2026.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, addresses the media at a press conference during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 25, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/BING GUAN)

Iran-UAE talks

Araghchi also discussed regional developments with UAE Foreign Minister Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed, along with diplomatic efforts to promote stability in the region, according to a post on Araghchi's Telegram channel.

Iran has been holding talks with mediators in a bid to end its war with the United States.