Ankara assures Iran: Israel won't attack from Turkey

ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey has assured Iran that Ankara will not allow Israel to attack the Islamic republic from Turkish air space.

The Turkish reassurance came in response to concerns voiced by Iran that Ankara would allow Israel to launch an attack from Turkish air space. Israel and Turkey have a strategic alliance and Israeli air force jets train in Turkey.

"It is out of the question that any foreign power -- I am referring to Israel -- would use our territory to make a move against a neighbor," Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said.

Cem relayed this message to visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, who on Wednesday completes a three day visit to Turkey. Kharazi discussed the Israeli-Turkish alliance as well as oil pipeline project between Ankara and Teheran.

"We have concerns which we explained to our Turkish counterparts about growing Turkish-Israeli ties," Kharazi said. "Israel is harmful to regional stability."

On Wednesday, the Ankara-based Turkish Daily News said military commanders have been concerned by the miiltary buildup in Iran and Syria. The newspaper said the military is pressing the United States to help Ankara develop an anti-missile defense system.

Later, Kharazi ruled out an improvement in Iranian relations with Israel even if the Jewish state signs a peace agreement with Syria. Kharazi said the Palestinians must achieve their full rights.

The foreign minister also expressed concern regarding what he called Israeli infiltration in Central Asia and Chechnya.