Turkey And Iran: Unraveling A Century Of Complex Relations
The question of "does Turkey like Iran" is far from simple, akin to asking if two siblings with shared history but divergent ambitions can truly be friends. Their relationship is a tapestry woven with threads of ancient rivalry, strategic competition, economic interdependence, and occasional shared interests. It's a dynamic interplay of cooperation and conflict, often shifting with the geopolitical winds of the Middle East and beyond.
Understanding the intricate ties between Ankara and Tehran requires delving deep into their historical legacies, current geopolitical maneuvering, and the underlying ideological and economic forces at play. Far from a straightforward alliance or outright animosity, their interactions are characterized by a nuanced dance for regional dominance, punctuated by moments of pragmatic collaboration and fierce proxy conflicts.
Table of Contents
- A Historical Tapestry of Rivalry and Resilience
- The Chessboard of Regional Influence: Syria and Iraq
- Economic Ties and Sanctions Dilemmas
- The Caucasus: A New Front for Competition
- Shared Interests Amidst Fierce Competition
- Ideological Currents and Secularization
- The Israel Factor: A Complex Alignment
- Navigating the Future: Can Turkey and Iran Find Common Ground?
A Historical Tapestry of Rivalry and Resilience
The relationship between Turkey and Iran is deeply rooted in centuries of interaction between their predecessor empires. Iran, as the heartland of the ancient Persian Empire, has a long history of rivalry with the Ottoman Empire, and by extension, modern Turkey. This historical competition for influence in the Caucasus and Levant shaped their strategic outlooks for centuries. The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed Iran into a theocratic state, adding an ideological dimension to its foreign policy, which contrasted sharply with Turkey's secular republican identity, established after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. To Iran, Turkey's contemporary push for regional influence can sometimes look like a reconstitution of the Ottoman Empire’s historical hold over the Caucasus and Levant, a period Iran grappled with between the 16th and 20th centuries. This historical lens often frames their modern interactions, fueling both suspicion and a deep understanding of each other's strategic imperatives. Despite this long-standing rivalry, both nations have also experienced periods of peaceful coexistence and even limited cooperation, driven by pragmatic geopolitical considerations. The complexity of "does Turkey like Iran" begins with acknowledging this profound historical baggage.The Chessboard of Regional Influence: Syria and Iraq
The most overt manifestations of the complex relationship between Turkey and Iran are seen in their fierce competition for expanding influence in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Iraq. These two states have a complex relationship, competing over influence through supporting opposing proxies as part of a proxy conflict. This dynamic highlights that while they might share certain broader interests, their immediate strategic goals often clash, making the question of "does Turkey like Iran" difficult to answer definitively.Syria: A Proxy Battleground
Syria stands as a prime example of the direct proxy war between Turkey and Iran. While Turkey backs the Free Syrian Army (FSA) that sought to overthrow Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and remove Russian forces from the country, Iran backs Assad and local Shi’ite elements. Turkey has changed its strategy by actively participating in the conflict, providing active military support to its proxies. For Iran, the Assad regime was a critical strategic ally in the Middle East, and as Turkey is poised to gain influence, Iran's ability to project power in the region has been steadily diminishing. This direct confrontation of interests in Syria underscores the deep strategic divergence between Ankara and Tehran. The ongoing struggle for control and influence in post-conflict Syria continues to be a major source of tension, directly impacting the perception of "does Turkey like Iran" in the regional context.Iraq: A Contested Sphere
Beyond Syria, Iran and Turkey have long competed for influence in Iraq, each pursuing its own strategic interests. This competition manifests in various forms, from economic engagement to supporting different political factions. Like Turkey, Iran has used the threat of Kurdish separatism as a pretext to justify its increasing military presence in northern Iraq. Thus, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has found itself in the crosshairs, facing not only increasing Turkish pressure to collaborate with Ankara against the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), but also mounting Iranian aggression as a result of its submissive stance towards certain regional powers. This dual pressure from two powerful neighbors, each with their own agenda in Iraq, further complicates the regional landscape and demonstrates the intense rivalry at play. The competition for resources, trade routes, and political alignment in Iraq remains a significant point of contention, constantly challenging the notion of a harmonious relationship.Economic Ties and Sanctions Dilemmas
Despite their geopolitical rivalries, Turkey and Iran maintain significant economic ties, particularly in the energy sector. Turkey imports around 16%—worth around $3.3 billion—of its natural gas from its neighbor. This economic interdependence creates a complex dynamic where strategic competition must be balanced against vital national interests. However, Ankara faces ongoing pressure, particularly from the United States, over its trade with Iran under current sanctions regimes. This external pressure often puts Turkey in a difficult position, forcing it to navigate between maintaining its energy security and adhering to international sanctions. The economic dimension highlights a pragmatic aspect of their relationship, where mutual benefit can override political differences, yet external factors can strain even these essential connections. The necessity of trade, especially for energy, provides a baseline of interaction, even when political tensions are high, suggesting that "does Turkey like Iran" is not solely a political question but also an economic one.The Caucasus: A New Front for Competition
The Caucasus region has emerged as another critical arena for competition between Turkey and Iran. Additionally, Turkey’s push for regional projects like the Zangezur Corridor, which would link Azerbaijan to Turkey via Armenia, threatens Iran’s traditional trade routes and economic influence in the Caucasus. This corridor is seen by Tehran as a strategic move that could further diminish its regional leverage, echoing the historical fears of Ottoman expansion. The Zangezur Corridor is not merely an infrastructure project; it represents a fundamental shift in regional connectivity and power dynamics, potentially rerouting trade and energy flows away from Iran. This perceived threat to its economic and strategic interests in a historically significant region adds another layer of complexity to the Turkey-Iran relationship, fueling concerns in Tehran about Ankara's ambition to restore the Ottoman Empire's historical reach. The implications of such projects mean that the answer to "does Turkey like Iran" is increasingly tied to their respective geopolitical gains and losses in this critical corridor.Shared Interests Amidst Fierce Competition
Despite their intense competition, Turkey and Iran share certain strategic interests that occasionally bring them into alignment. While they fiercely compete for influence in Syria and Iraq, they also share the interest of preventing Kurdish independence and minimizing foreign intervention in the region. These shared concerns often act as a pragmatic counterbalance to their rivalries, illustrating the multifaceted nature of their relationship.The Kurdish Question
Both Turkey and Iran view Kurdish separatist movements within their borders and in neighboring countries as significant threats to their territorial integrity and national security. This shared concern often leads to tacit, if not explicit, cooperation on issues related to Kurdish groups. As noted, both nations have used the threat of Kurdish separatism as a pretext to justify their increasing military presence in northern Iraq. This common ground, driven by internal security imperatives, provides a unique point of convergence in an otherwise competitive relationship. The shared objective of containing Kurdish aspirations, despite their different approaches, underscores a pragmatic alignment that influences how "does Turkey like Iran" plays out in specific contexts.Minimizing Foreign Intervention
Another shared interest lies in minimizing foreign intervention in the Middle East. Both countries, as significant regional powers, prefer to resolve regional issues among themselves rather than having external actors dictate terms. This desire for regional autonomy, though often leading to their own competition, can sometimes translate into a shared stance against perceived external meddling. This doesn't mean they always agree on who the "foreign" actors are or how to counter them, but the principle of regional self-determination is a common thread in their foreign policy rhetoric.Ideological Currents and Secularization
Beneath the geopolitical maneuvering, there are interesting social and ideological currents at play. Iran and Turkey are two nations that are experiencing rapid secularization. Interestingly, these two secular segments are very similar to each other. The data suggests that if the people of the two states become secular enough and have strong democratic states, they can be very good allies because the white Europeans and the Arabs will never see them as an ally. This perspective offers a fascinating, albeit speculative, glimpse into a potential future where shared societal trends could foster greater alignment. However, historical and religious differences also play a role. Although the majority of Alevis in Turkey embraced secular values, were loyal to Turkey, and supported the Republican People's Party, Iran attempted to grow its influence over Alevis, while also attempting to convert them into the mainstream Twelver Shi'ism practiced in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. This demonstrates Iran's efforts to leverage religious ties to expand its influence, even within Turkey's borders, highlighting a subtle yet persistent ideological competition. The interplay of secularization and religious influence adds another layer of complexity to the question of "does Turkey like Iran."The Israel Factor: A Complex Alignment
The stance on Israel presents another intriguing aspect of the Turkey-Iran relationship, where superficial alignment masks deeper divergences. Vitriolic criticism of Israel is nothing new for Iran, whose opposition to Israel is a pillar of state ideology. Similarly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has frequently criticized Israel during his 20 years in power. Like Iran, Türkiye strongly supported South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, analysts say Turkey’s sympathy for the Palestinians—who like Erdogan are Sunni Muslims—does not extend to support for Iran, Hezbollah, and their other Shiite allies in the region. This distinction is crucial. While both nations vocally oppose Israeli policies, their motivations and underlying alliances differ significantly. Turkey's stance is often rooted in its support for the Sunni Palestinian cause and broader Islamic solidarity, whereas Iran's opposition is a foundational element of its revolutionary ideology and part of its "Axis of Resistance" against perceived Western and Israeli influence. Various Muslim countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and UAE have expressed their strong opinions on the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, but their specific narratives and strategic objectives diverge. This demonstrates that while they may appear to be on the same side regarding Israel, their deeper geopolitical interests and sectarian alignments remain distinct, further complicating the answer to "does Turkey like Iran."Navigating the Future: Can Turkey and Iran Find Common Ground?
The relationship between Turkey and Iran is undeniably complex, characterized by a delicate balance of rivalry and cooperation. As tensions between Iran and Turkey grow, experts in Tehran warn about Iran’s declining regional influence and Ankara’s ambition to restore the Ottoman Empire. This perception of a zero-sum game often fuels their competition. However, there are also signs of a pragmatic approach. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he and his Iranian counterpart have agreed to avoid steps that could threaten Middle East stability, during a visit to Ankara by Iran’s president. This suggests a recognition of the need for de-escalation and managing regional stability, even amidst intense competition. The question of "does Turkey like Iran" cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Their relationship is a continuous negotiation of historical grievances, contemporary geopolitical ambitions, economic necessities, and shared security concerns. While they will likely remain competitors for regional influence, particularly in contested areas like Syria, Iraq, and the Caucasus, their shared interests in preventing Kurdish independence and minimizing external interference, coupled with the pragmatic need for economic ties, will continue to shape their interactions. The future of their relationship will depend on their ability to manage their rivalries without allowing them to destabilize the broader region, finding common ground where possible, and navigating their differences with strategic foresight. What are your thoughts on the intricate relationship between Turkey and Iran? Do you believe their shared interests will eventually outweigh their rivalries, or are they destined for continued competition? Share your insights in the comments below, and don't forget to explore our other articles on Middle Eastern geopolitics for more in-depth analysis.
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