Speaking at a ceremony in Ankara to mark the 2025 Iran-Turkey Cultural Year and to honor the Persian poet Hafez, Salehi said that the two nations have historically safeguarded their common civilizational assets.

From the Seljuk to the Ottoman eras, the poetry and literature of both nations have been deeply intertwined, he said.

The Minister paid special tribute to the Iranian poet Hafez, describing him not merely as a national figure for Iran but as a representative of the shared spirit of the Islamic East.

Salehi characterized Hafez’s work as a guide for personal and social refinement.

In a related development, Salehi addressed a gathering in Turkey, emphasizing the significant role of the Persian language within Islamic civilization.