Hakkı UygurAbstract: Turkish-Iranian relations have been propelled by their own dynamics along certain lines of stability, particularly over the last century. Among important turning points in their relations were the regime changes in both countries in the 1920s, their common approaches to the Soviet threat in the Cold War era, and the 1979 Iranian revolution. The two nations gave different responses to the regional security crisis that began after September 11 and gained in intensity after the Arab Spring; in particular the Syrian crisis opened up the way for one of the most tense periods of bilateral relations experienced between the two countries. However, the Syrian crisis nearing an end and other arenas of crisis such as the Gulf and Jerusalem coming onto the agenda likely signifies a reduction in tensions in the relationship between Ankara and Tehran.
Introduction
The Turkish-Iranian relationship can be considered one of the most consistent and predictable sets of relations in the Middle East region. The shahs and ayatollahs of Iran have carried on a relationship with Turkey defined by its own unique characteristics regardless of which political party is in power there. The two countries share important commonalities in the roles of two of the region’s main non-Arab actors, as well as both not having experienced direct colonization. Even if relations sour from time to time, the fact that the governments of the two states want continuity despite all the crises that they have undergone, plus different factors such as the deep historical, cultural and economic ties they share, have played a role in there being no breakoff in ties. Of course, this situation does not mean that these relations have not seen their own ups and downs.