Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Ankara on January 4th for a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. The talks are expected to cover a range of topics, including the situations in Gaza and Syria, as well as bilateral relations between the two countries.
The visit was originally planned for late November but had to be postponed due to conflicting schedules. At the time, Turkey’s foreign minister was in New York as part of a “contact group” of Muslim countries discussing the situation in Gaza. Now, with both leaders available, they will have the opportunity to discuss these pressing issues.
Turkey has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and has called for an immediate ceasefire. The country supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has even suggested that Israeli leaders should be tried in international courts for war crimes. However, despite its strong rhetoric against Israel, Turkey has maintained commercial ties with the country, which has drawn criticism from some opposition parties and Iran.
Unlike its Western allies and some Arab nations, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist group. This stance has further strained its relationship with Israel, as Hamas is part of what Iran calls the “Axis of Resistance.” This loose coalition includes armed Shiite Muslim groups that have confronted Israel and its Western allies. Iran has voiced support for Hamas and warned of wider consequences if the fighting in Gaza continues.
Turkey and Iran have historically had complicated relations, particularly regarding the Syrian civil war. Turkey has supported rebel groups seeking to overthrow President Bashar Assad, while Iran has backed his government. Despite their differences, there have been several rounds of talks involving representatives from Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Russia to find a political solution to the conflict.
In recent years, Turkey has also made efforts to improve its ties with Assad’s government as part of a broader regional diplomatic push. This shift in approach has raised eyebrows among some of Turkey’s allies, but Ankara believes that engaging with Assad is necessary to find a lasting solution to the Syrian crisis.
The upcoming meeting between Raisi and Erdogan presents an opportunity for both leaders to discuss their respective positions on Gaza, Syria, and other regional issues. It remains to be seen whether they can find common ground or if their differences will continue to strain their relationship.
Overall, this visit highlights the complex dynamics at play in the region and the challenges faced by Turkey as it navigates its relationships with Iran, Israel, and other regional powers. The outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Syria, as well as for Turkey’s broader foreign policy objectives.