Fraying relations over interests
The relationship between Turkey and Iran has been showing signs of strain over Syria, as Iran strongly supports the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Turkey wants to see a Syria where the will of the people reigns. However, a series of recent harsh statements from both Turkey and Iran have caused ties between the two neighbors to hit rock bottom.

Erhan Başyurt from Bugün cites three reasons behind the deteriorating relations between the two countries: a radar station based in Malatya’s Kürecik district, Turkey’s support for the opposition in Syria and Turkey’s support for the opposition against Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Iraq. The radar station in Kürecik mainly aims to deter potential threats from Iran and it lowers the deterrent power of Iran’s long-range missiles. An Iranian commander once said that they had developed a ballistic missile to attack the radar station at Kürecik if Iran goes to war with Turkey. As for the second and third issues, Başyurt asserts that Iran has simply established its foreign policy on the principle of cooperation with Shiite administrations, thus supporting the Shiite regimes of both Assad and Maliki. This is not something new, but what appears to be new in the picture which has recently emerged is that Iran is taking the risk of breaking its ties with its old friend Turkey for the sake of protecting the “Shiite axis” -- cooperation among Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon based on the common Shiite sect. Başyurt finally notes that the relations between Turkey and Iran have been deteriorating not because of the problems between the two countries but because of the conflict of interest in regional policies.

Zaman’s Fikret Ertan calls the recent threatening statements from Iran “ungratefulness” as Turkey has always shown unwavering support for Iran’s right to develop peaceful nuclear technology, and it pursued a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis. “Despite Turkey’s official and sincere support and its friendly policies, Iranian politicians’ ignoring these facts and speaking against Turkey and moreover making false accusations against Turkey [claiming that Turkey has been meddling in Syrian affairs] can only be explained as ungratefulness,” he says.

Milliyet’s Derya Sazak, on the other hand, argues that another reason for Turkey’s harsh response to Iran is Iran’s supportive approach towards the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and because Iran has given many military outposts near the Turkish border to the PKK. This rightfully bothers Turkey, he maintains.

2012-08-09