IRNA – The US recent decision to declare Holy Quds as the capital of the Zionist occupying regime indicates that it has become desperate in the region, Iranian defense minister said on Tuesday.

The US December 6 decision to transfer its embassy from Tel Aviv to Holy Quds is 'an irresponsible approach which strengthens the occupation policy of the Zionist regime, Brigadier General Amir Hatami said in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli.

Iran believes that US made the decision after feeling that there was a rift in the Islamic Ummah and some Arab countries had compromised with Israel, the Iranian minister said.

On Tehran-Ankara ties, Hatami said certain regional and international powers, in recent years, have in vein tried to sow discord between the two neighboring countries.

Congratulating on the defeat of the terrorist group of Daesh (ISIS), Hatami said that the annihilation of Daesh is one of the outcomes of interaction between Iran, Turkey and Russia; the interaction which has outraged the US administration and the Zionists.

'Washington's anti-Quds measure was taken due to the US defeat in Iraq and Syria, its failure to declare Iraqi Kurdistan as an independent region and its scandal in the forced resignation of the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri,' the minister added.

On the crimes being committed in Yemen, Hatami said the massacre of the Yemeni people is 'an absolute human tragedy,' toward which the international community and the Islamic countries should be more sensitive.

He further stressed that the bombardment and siege of the oppressed Yemenis should be ended.

Turning to the issue of bilateral cooperation, the minister said Iran welcomes the military and defense relations with Turkey, adding the exchange of experiences in those areas can strengthen Tehran-Ankara ties.

On the extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) slated for December 13 in Turkey's Istanbul to discuss the US decision about the Holy Quds, Hatami said Iran appreciates Turkey's initiative to hold the meeting.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is to fly to Turkey late on Tuesday to attend the OIC summit.