Turkey and Iran : the struggle for power and influence in the Middle East

Abstract EN

Turkey-Iran policies have gone through an unprecedented period of rapprochement.

Ideological and security issues that dominated the relations between the two neighbours have been gradually replaced by pragmatic considerations on each side.

A number of developments both at the state level and regional level have promoted pragmatism.

The ensuing improvement of Turkish-Iranian relations has been crowned by a rapidly increasing volume of economic interactions between the two countries as well as security and diplomatic cooperation on a number of issues.

In addition to the upgrading of bilateral ties, the two countries' regional approaches related to the Palestine issue, preservation of territorial integrity of Iraq, Iran's right to have “peaceful” nuclear technology, etc.

have ostensibly converged.

However, a number of developments that took place in 2011, including the revolt in Syria, the escalation of terror activities perpetrated by the PKK, have overshadowed Turkey-Iran relations.

Moreover, the Arab spring has profoundly altered the regional environment and has led to Turkey's reconciliation with the West, particularly with the United States, on a number of issues in the region including the uprising in Syria.

It also culminated in the differentiation of Turkish and Iranian regional perspectives and it is this new regional context that accounts for the emerging tensions between Turkey and Iran.