Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Turkiye on Wednesday for crucial talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting, which was delayed twice due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, aims to address past differences between the two neighboring countries and find a solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The war in Gaza has not only intensified tensions in the region but also triggered a series of retaliatory actions. The United States and Britain have increased joint air strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. Israel, on the other hand, has targeted Tehran-linked figures in Syria and is on the verge of launching a full-scale war against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Iran and Pakistan have also exchanged strikes against “militant” and “terrorist” targets, while Turkiye has intensified artillery and drone attacks against Kurdish groups in Syria and Iran.
Given the rapid escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, President Raisi had to postpone his visit to Ankara twice. The initial talks scheduled for early January were canceled following twin blasts claimed by Daesh group jihadists at the shrine of assassinated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general Qasem Soleimani. A planned visit in November was also called off due to conflicting schedules of diplomats involved in consultations over the Gaza war.
President Raisi emphasized the common position of Iran and Turkiye in supporting the Palestinian people and their resistance against oppression. This visit marks his first official visit to Turkiye since his election in 2021.
The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has added complexity to Turkiye’s relationship with Iran. President Erdogan has portrayed Iran-backed Hamas as legitimate “liberators” rather than a “terrorist” organization, as labeled by the Western world. He has even compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler for the offensive that has resulted in the deaths of over 25,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Hamas-run health ministry. The relentless Israeli attacks have left the besieged Palestinian territory devastated and deprived of basic necessities.
However, Erdogan initially defended Israel’s right to respond to the Hamas raids that killed 1,140 people, mostly civilians. The militants still hold around 130 of the estimated 250 people they took hostage, making it the worst attack in Israel’s history.
Differences in Turkiye’s trade and diplomatic relations with Israel have sparked widespread anger in Iran’s official and semi-official media. These differences add to existing tensions between the two regional powers in Syria and the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.
Despite these challenges, analysts believe that Turkiye has always managed to find a middle ground in its complex and multidimensional relationship with Iran. President Raisi expressed hope in signing “important documents” that could potentially boost annual trade between the two countries to $30 billion, compared to the current level of $6 billion.
Iran and Turkiye share a long border and a history of both close economic relations and diplomatic disputes. Turkiye supported rebel efforts to overthrow Iranian- and Russian-backed President Bashar Assad during Syria’s civil war. Iran grew increasingly concerned as Turkiye provided arms to Azerbaijan to counter Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh. Tehran fears that Baku’s resurgence could fuel separatist aspirations among Iran’s large ethnic Azerbaijani minority.
The Gaza war has temporarily shifted the focus away from regional disputes and compelled the two leaders to seek a joint approach to the Middle East. While symbolic measures regarding Palestine may be announced during the meeting, the primary objective is to contain the conflict and prevent further escalation, which is in the interests of both Ankara and Tehran.
In conclusion, President Raisi’s visit to Turkiye comes at a critical time when tensions are high in the Middle East. The talks between Iran and Turkiye aim to address past differences and find a solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both countries share a common position in supporting the Palestinian people and their resistance against oppression. Despite challenges and existing tensions, analysts believe that a middle ground can be found to strengthen economic relations and promote stability in the region.