TEHRAN -- The Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini visited the Turkish ambassador to Iran Umit Yardim where he talked of Iran’s decision to purchase Imam Khomeini’s residence in Bursa in which he resided during his exile.

Minister Hosseini visited Turkish ambassador Yardim here on Sunday and proposed the idea of converting the residence into an Iranian cultural office, the Persian service of MNA reported on Sunday.
In November 1964, Imam Khomeini was arrested and taken for immediate banishment to Turkey. The Imam was first lodged in Ankara, and a few days later, he was moved from Ankara to Bursa where he was to reside for about a year.
Bursa Municipality has agreed to the proposal, Hosseini said, adding that Iranian representatives in Istanbul and Ankara are currently pursuing the matter.
Hosseini asked the Turkish ambassador to support the decision and said that this would encourage more Iranians to travel to Turkey to visit Imam’s residence there.
Both parties next talked about developing bilateral ties. Hosseini said that Iran is ready to hold a cultural week in Istanbul to boost bilateral cultural relations.
Turkish ambassador Yardim regarded bilateral cultural relations as positive and said that the two countries need to focus on programs that make long-term impressions.
The ambassador also noted that introducing Iranian and Turkish writers in both countries can help deepen cultural relations.