Economic, Political, and Strategic Issues in Iran–Turkey Relations, 2002–2015

Abstract

This article assesses the effects in terms of economic, political, and cross-border relations between Iran and Turkey after the Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP) came to power and examines how and to what extend Turkey intervened in several regional equations while balancing its Western advantages for its national benefit with a clear view toward achieving specific goals. Iran also reaped several positive outcomes even as regional tensions increased. The findings highlight that to manage Western strategic goals in its new international niche, Turkey optimized every potential opportunity for global bargaining to its benefit. Turkey’s relations with Iran were carefully balanced by its Western designs through the calculated applications of choices in various fields of Iran’s foreign policy.

Turkey-Iran Relations after the JDP

“…Although Turkish membership in NATO has been viewed as a peril for Iran, in order to counterweigh increasing American pressure, the Iranian government has paid special attention to developing good relations with Turkey, and at least to ensure its neutrality in case of a showdown between Iran and the United States. 34 In this regard, Iran welcomed the worsening of Turkey's close ties with the United States and Israel under the JDP government. For instance, in his meeting with Erdoğan in October 2009, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Turkey's position on Palestine, which he claimed advanced Turkey's place in the Islamic world, soon after the famous Davos walkout of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his admonition to Israeli President Shimon Peres.…”

Introduction

“…Although Turkish membership in NATO has been viewed as a peril for Iran, in order to counterweigh increasing American pressure, the Iranian government has paid special attention to developing good relations with Turkey, and at least to ensure its neutrality in case of a showdown between Iran and the United States. 34 In this regard, Iran welcomed the worsening of Turkey's close ties with the United States and Israel under the JDP government. For instance, in his meeting with Erdoğan in October 2009, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Turkey's position on Palestine, which he claimed advanced Turkey's place in the Islamic world, soon after the famous Davos walkout of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his admonition to Israeli President Shimon Peres.…”