Erdogan’s Visit to Tehran Proves Weakness of Turkey’s Stance

• 04.09.2015, 11:02
•  Region

The visit of the Turkish president in Iran started with an unpleasant surprise for Erdogan. In Iran Erdogan was greeted by horsemen holding red flags on which the following was written: "Aba Abdullah Hussein" (Hussein 3^rd Shiite Imams and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad). The demonstration, with the participation of the horsemen holding Shiite flags aimed at giving President Erogan direct message that Iran is going  to prevent Turkish Neo-Ottoman aspirations in the region. This kind of political gesture from Iran was a unique response to Erdogan’s recent accusations against Iran in which Turkish president called Iran "to stop interfering in Iraq and Yemen and vying for regional domination".

In the face of recent strained relations between Turkey and Iran on Yemen, what did still make Erdogan visit Iran? The most logical conclusion that one can make is as follows:  Erdogan’s  conciliatory mood during his visit to Tehran  proves the weakness of Turkey’s stance, whose economy still  relies on Iran exports and natural resources. The authorities in Turkey were quick to realize that they can benefit from the lift  of Iranian sanctions and decided not to lose the chance.  In this sense the comments made by Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek on potential benefits Turkey can derive from the release of sanction such as the exports of the commodities produced in Turkey to Iran, lowered oil prices that can result from Iran’s re-entry to the world market, as well as the role of Turkey as an important conduit for gas and oil is not by chance.

The main statements made by Erdogan himself during his visit supports the same logic. During the visit Erdogan put the main emphasis on the economic cooperation  between the two countries  bargaining the Iranian gas price and suggesting to increase the trade turnover between the two countries.

However it should also be noted  that in spite of being happy for the lift of sanctions from the point of view of  economic benefits, Turkey still continues to consider Iran its major rival in the region. The proof of which was Erdogan’s unexpected visit to Saudi Arabia on the eve of his visit to Iran. By maintaining balance between the countries in the region, Turkey demonstrated its fears towards Iran trying to prevent its increased influence in the region.