Turkey & Iran: Foes Or Friends? Unpacking A Complex Relationship

Kenyon Legros 20 Jun 2025

The question of whether Turkey and Iran are enemies is far more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While geopolitical rivalries and proxy conflicts often paint a picture of deep animosity, a closer look reveals a tapestry woven with threads of both competition and shared interests. This article delves into the intricate dynamics that define the relationship between these two regional powers, exploring historical shifts, contemporary flashpoints, and underlying commonalities that prevent a straightforward categorization of their ties.

Understanding the relationship between Ankara and Tehran requires acknowledging its inherent complexity. For decades, both nations managed tensions through careful balancing, but recent shifts in the regional balance of power have increasingly put Turkey and Iran at odds. From the battlefields of Syria to the diplomatic halls discussing Israel, their interactions are a constant negotiation between diverging ambitions and strategic convergences.

Historical Roots of a Complex Relationship
Proxy Wars and Regional Influence: The Battlegrounds
Shared Interests and Strategic Alignments
Economic Ties Under Pressure
Environmental Challenges and Blame Games
The Impact of External Powers
Identifying Regional Rivals: Who are Turkey's Enemies?
Future Outlook: A Fragile Balance

Historical Roots of a Complex Relationship

The relationship between Turkey and Iran is deeply rooted in history, marked by periods of both cooperation and intense rivalry. For centuries, as powerful empires, they navigated a delicate balance, often defined by their respective geopolitical ambitions. The rise and subsequent erosion of friendly relations between Iran and Turkey were a direct result of their regional aspirations. There was a time when Iran valued its relationship with Turkey as long as their strategic interests coincided. However, this perception began to shift, with Tehran eventually coming to see Ankara as a champion of Saudi Arabia, a significant regional competitor for Iran. This historical baggage, as noted by experts like Ottaway, has consistently influenced their interactions, particularly when it comes to regional leadership and ideological influence.

While both nations share a non-Arab Muslim identity, their distinct interpretations of Islam and differing approaches to governance – a secular republic in Turkey versus an Islamic republic in Iran – have often created underlying tensions. This foundational divergence, combined with evolving regional power dynamics, laid the groundwork for the intricate and often contradictory relationship we observe today, where the question of "are Turkey and Iran enemies?" becomes increasingly pertinent. Decades of managing these tensions through careful balancing have given way to a more overtly competitive dynamic, especially following recent shifts in the regional balance of power.

Proxy Wars and Regional Influence: The Battlegrounds

Perhaps the most salient evidence pointing towards a strained relationship between Turkey and Iran lies in their direct and indirect involvement in various regional proxy conflicts. The two states have a complex relationship, competing over influence in Syria and the Caucasus through supporting opposing proxies as part of a proxy conflict. This competition for regional dominance is a defining characteristic of their current interactions, making it difficult to dismiss the notion that Turkey and Iran are enemies, at least in a strategic sense. Their divergent interests frequently manifest in supporting opposing sides in critical regional flashpoints, creating a volatile dynamic.

Syria: A Major Flashpoint

Syria stands as a primary arena where Turkish and Iranian interests directly clash. Turkey’s regional nemesis, Syria, was once its best regional ally. Now, Turkey finds itself at war with both Damascus and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which is also fighting Damascus. Moreover, ISIL is also fighting various factions of Kurdish separatists whom Turkey has fought since 1984. The Syrian conflict has profoundly reshaped regional alliances and antagonisms. While Turkey backs the Free Syrian Army (FSA) that sought to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad and remove Russian forces from the country, Iran backs Assad and local Shi’ite elements. This fundamental divergence in support for opposing sides has led to direct military and intelligence confrontations. Like Iraq, Turkey’s military penetration in Syria creates a massive headache for Iran, viewing Turkish actions as an encroachment on its sphere of influence and a threat to the stability of its allies. This ongoing entanglement in Syria highlights a clear adversarial dimension in the Turkey-Iran relationship, where strategic objectives are diametrically opposed.

The Caucasus and Karabakh

Another significant point of contention is the Caucasus region, particularly concerning the conflict in Karabakh. Here, Iran backs Armenia, while Turkey supports Azerbaijan. This clear division highlights their competition for influence in a strategically vital region bordering both nations. Turkey's strong support for Azerbaijan, which includes military assistance and diplomatic backing, is seen by Iran as an attempt to expand Turkish influence into its northern periphery, potentially undermining its long-standing ties with Armenia and its own security interests in the South Caucasus. This proxy engagement in the Caucasus underscores the broader geopolitical rivalry, where both powers seek to extend their reach and secure their strategic interests at the expense of the other, further complicating the question of whether Turkey and Iran are enemies.

Palestine and Israel: A Shifting Stance

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict also reveals diverging approaches, although with some surprising convergences. Vitriolic criticism of Israel is nothing new for Iran, whose opposition to Israel is a pillar of state ideology. Meanwhile, in Palestine, Iran supports Hamas. Turkey, on the other hand, has pursued normalisation with Israel, even while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has frequently criticized Israel during his 20 years in power. This dual approach by Turkey – maintaining diplomatic ties while vocally condemning Israeli actions – contrasts with Iran's unwavering and ideologically driven opposition. However, the recent Hamas’ violent and unexpected October 7 attack on Israel has shaken a fragile regional order in the Middle East. Interestingly, both Turkey and Iran, despite their differences, found common ground in condemning Israeli actions in Gaza. Like Iran, Türkiye strongly supported South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This convergence on the ICJ case suggests that while their methods and ultimate goals regarding Israel may differ, there are moments when shared anti-Israeli sentiment can bring them closer, albeit temporarily, showcasing the fluidity of their relationship.

Shared Interests and Strategic Alignments

Despite the numerous points of friction, it would be inaccurate to state unequivocally that Turkey and Iran are enemies without acknowledging their areas of shared interest. Both countries also have some shared interests that can, at times, override their rivalries. One significant area of convergence is their shared concern regarding an increased U.S. presence in the Middle East. Ankara and Tehran are worried that a stronger U.S. presence in the Middle East is detrimental to their regional interests. This shared apprehension about external intervention and a desire for regional actors to determine their own fate can sometimes lead to tacit, or even explicit, cooperation, demonstrating that their relationship isn't solely defined by animosity.

The war in Gaza, for instance, might help close the ranks between Turkey and Iran, demonstrating a potential for alignment when faced with a common perceived threat or humanitarian crisis. Their joint support for South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel exemplifies this, showcasing a rare moment of coordinated diplomatic action on a sensitive international issue. Furthermore, both nations are significant regional powers that share a border and complex historical ties, necessitating a degree of engagement regardless of their disagreements. This strategic imperative to manage a long border and maintain a level of stability often compels them to find common ground on issues like border security and counter-terrorism, even if their definitions of "terrorist groups" sometimes differ. These shared imperatives highlight the pragmatic dimension of their relationship, where cooperation is a necessity.

Economic Ties Under Pressure

Economic relations between Turkey and Iran have historically been robust, driven by energy trade and cross-border commerce. However, these ties have faced significant challenges, primarily due to external pressures. Turkey’s purchase of Iranian oil and Iran’s imports of Turkish products have been curtailed since 2018 by the sanctions reimposed on Iran by President Donald Trump, especially after April 2019 when the U.S. rescinded the waiver given to Turkey and seven other major importers of Iranian oil. These sanctions have severely impacted the volume of trade, forcing both countries to seek alternative economic partners and strategies. While the economic relationship remains important, its potential has been significantly hampered by U.S. foreign policy, adding another layer of complexity to the question of whether Turkey and Iran are enemies or merely partners constrained by external forces.

Despite the sanctions, both countries have an inherent interest in maintaining some level of economic exchange. Turkey needs energy, and Iran seeks markets for its non-oil exports and a route to Europe. This economic interdependence, even if diminished, acts as a stabilizing factor, preventing a complete breakdown of relations and encouraging dialogue on trade-related issues. The desire to circumvent sanctions and foster regional economic blocs could also, paradoxically, push them towards greater cooperation in the long run. The resilience of these economic ties, despite external pressures, suggests a deeper, underlying pragmatic bond that mitigates outright hostility.

Environmental Challenges and Blame Games

Beyond geopolitics and economics, environmental issues have also become a surprising source of friction between Turkey and Iran. During the last decade, both Turkey and Iran experienced extreme drought, leading to significant ecological and humanitarian crises. Some lakes and rivers disappeared entirely, exacerbating water scarcity across the region. In this context, Iran also holds Turkey responsible for the sandstorms that devastate Iran and Iraq. On May 10, the Iranian foreign minister openly stated his country’s opposition to Turkey’s dam project. This public accusation highlights a growing environmental dispute, where Iran views Turkey's upstream dam construction on shared rivers as a direct threat to its water security and a cause of environmental degradation within its borders. These environmental grievances add a new, less conventional dimension to their rivalry, demonstrating how even natural phenomena can be politicized and contribute to bilateral tensions.

The issue of water resources is critical for both nations' long-term stability and development. As climate change intensifies, these disputes are likely to become more frequent and more intense, potentially creating new flashpoints in an already complex relationship. The challenge for Ankara and Tehran will be to find mechanisms for cooperative water management, rather than allowing environmental stress to further deepen the perception that Turkey and Iran are enemies. The lack of a robust, shared framework for managing transboundary water resources is a significant vulnerability in their relationship.

The Impact of External Powers

The relationship between Turkey and Iran is not solely determined by their bilateral interactions; it is heavily influenced by the actions and presence of external powers, particularly the United States. Ankara and Tehran are worried that a stronger U.S. presence in the Middle East is detrimental to their regional interests. This shared apprehension about American influence can, at times, foster a degree of implicit alignment, as both seek to assert greater regional autonomy and reduce external interference. The U.S. sanctions on Iran, for example, directly impact Turkey's economic choices, forcing it to navigate a difficult path between its ally (the U.S.) and its neighbor (Iran).

Furthermore, the data suggests a provocative angle: "By fighting Turkey’s enemies, America is paving the way for its rise." This implies a perception in some circles that U.S. actions, even if ostensibly against shared adversaries like ISIL, might inadvertently strengthen Turkey's regional standing relative to Iran. The idea is that "Once the Iranian regime is no more of an alternative power center to Turkey’s rising Islamist role in the region, Ankara..." This perspective suggests a zero-sum game, where the weakening of one regional power by an external actor could be seen as beneficial to the other, further complicating the question of whether Turkey and Iran are enemies or merely competitors in a larger geopolitical chessboard. The external dimension adds layers of strategic calculation that often supersede direct bilateral sentiments.

Identifying Regional Rivals: Who are Turkey's Enemies?

To understand the Turkey-Iran dynamic, it's useful to consider who each nation perceives as its primary adversaries or competitors. For Turkey, its list of "enemies" or significant challenges includes Damascus (Syria), ISIL, and various factions of Kurdish separatists whom Turkey has fought since 1984. Historically, Turkey's

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Turkey & Iran: Foes Or Friends? Unpacking A Complex Relationship

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