Tehran – Ankara appears to be riding a wave of happiness following an unexpected fall in the Bashar al-Assad government last year. The country is sometimes targeting one of its most important neighbours, as well as local rivals, Tearan, who is susceptible to rushing and uncalculated foreign policy decisions when perceiving victory. In doing so, it ignores the flaws that have been made over the past decade and is watching the help Iran has provided during times of despair.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan appears to be responsible for Tehran to fight Assad recently as Assad’s terrorist Ankara was believed to be suspected of bankroll. “If this is Iran’s policy in Syria, I don’t think it’s the right thing,” declared Fidan. He omitted an explanation of how Iran’s role in preventing the rise of Daesh-controlled terrorist states in Syria and across Iraq in the 2010s was somehow equivalent to regional “instability.” Instead, in a veiled threat, he insists that Iran “can utilize resources and capabilities for others,” adding that if Tehran tries to protect his “glass house” from shattering, he should think twice before “throwing stones at others.”
Western media quickly seized Fidan’s remarks and fragredded them as criticism of Iran’s “surrogate strategy.” This is a loaded term that Israel and Washington were supported to demonize the relationship between Tehran and local resistance groups. Ankara appears to be conveniently adopting this same rhetoric despite frequent declarations of support for the Palestinian cause.
The first Iranian authorities to deal with Fidan were spokesmen for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a post on X, Esmail Baqaei agreed that “this region must be freed from the cultures of one country that controls other countries.” He added that the only unit currently ignores this principle is the Israeli regime.
“In the last 50 years, Iran has not pursued regional ambitions. Our only concern has been supporting the Palestinian people and their struggle,” the spokesman wrote. He then argued that the past 1.5 years of “betrayal” by certain local officials was the main reason why Israel was able to commit genocide in Gaza, and that he is currently openly debating the movement of the remaining Palestinians.
The idiot rays have stopped directly naming the turkey in relation to the Gaza situation, but his remarks sparked a new scrutiny of Ankara’s attitude on issues over the past 18 months. Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly denounced Israel since October 2023, even threatening to deploy troops to areas under attack by the regime. But at the same time, Turkey continues to use Azeri fuels used by Israeli fighters in attacks in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria. Additionally, Turkey reportedly increased exports to occupying areas despite blockades by Yemeni forces of the Red Sea, which aimed to stop the Gaza genocide by cutting off access to Irath Port.
Speaking to the Tehran Times, Ebrahim Rezai, a spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, provided the earlier pointed responsibilities of what he described as Turkey’s “uncalculated role” in the region. “Iran has focused on terrorism and the fight against the Israeli regime, and adheres to the principles of the Islamic Republic. It is no surprise that it has developed a relationship with resistance groups in the region and freedom fighters.
Rezai also said Iran is not passively waiting for a “stone that hits the window,” but will instead demolish the invader’s “home.”
References to the “Glass House” of the top Turkish diplomat sparked a revival of interest in past statements by Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s vice president of strategic affairs. In an interview with Iranian media last year, Zarif recalled his time as the country’s foreign minister and his involvement in Iran’s efforts to block the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. “I remember that night. Turkish envoy, martial teacher Soleimani, and I woke up all night,” he said, revealing the central role played by Lt. Gen. Kasem Soleimani, the late commander of the elite IRGC Quds forces, in his involvement with the situation in Iran. “I hope that my Turkish friends will not forget that time,” Zarif added.
Conflict reports suggest that Turkish Erdogan party may have been transported to Iran’s Tabriz on the night of the attempted coup. Zarif said he believed that the president was “impossible” that night that the president actually was in Iran, but he confirmed that Tehran was “fully prepared” to promote such a transfer.
Looking back at Zarif’s comments, an online observer suggested that Fidan should probably consider “someone who really lives in a glass house.”
Turkish preferences to create unnecessary friction
Fidan’s provocative statement against Al Jazeera has created unprecedented tensions in the history of Iran-weed relationship. However, in the last decade alone, Turkey has made many similar declarations and has taken actions that have quickly come to regret it.
Written by Tasnim News Agency, Ali Heidari has compiled a list of the most notable of these seemingly remarkable moves.
Relations with Egypt: After Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was expelled in 2013, Ankara strongly criticized the new Egyptian government, calling President Abdel Fatta Elssi a dictator, leading to the ultimate ouster of the Turkish ambassador. Ten years later, Turkey had to normalize its relationship with Egypt at a high cost without achieving its initial demand.
Russian bombers down: In 2015, Turkey shot down Russian bombers near the Syrian-Turkey border, leading to serious sanctions from Russia. Initially, Ankara rejected the outcome, but after significant economic losses, the Turkish president apologised to his Russian counterparts, ensuring that such an incident would never happen again.
American Pastor Arrest: In 2016, the arrest of American Pastor Andrew Branson on suspicion of involvement in a coup led to tensions with the United States. Despite Ankara’s initial rebellion, it eventually released Branson in 2018 without concession from the US, drawing criticism within Turkey.
Purchase of S-400 missile systems: In 2017, Turkish decision to purchase S-400 missile systems from Russia caused a series of impacts from the US. Washington responded by cancelling Turkish sanctions, the sale of F-35 fighter jets and expelling Ankara from the aircraft’s co-production program.
The US action reportedly costs Turkey an estimated $12 billion a year. Since then, Turkey has tried to buy F-35 fighter jets or recoup their economic losses. However, in the face of continuing obstacles in obtaining the F-35, Ankara demanded that they purchase the F-16 instead.
Until now, the US has ignored these requests. The policies that led to US sanctions have faced great criticism within Turkey, especially given the unclear operating situation and the lack of use of the S-400.
Refugee Crisis: Turkey’s decade-long policy to support terrorist groups in Syria has displaced millions of refugees. Many of them evacuated to Türkiye. This situation puts great pressure on Turkish social fabrics, leading to frequent clashes between Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees. The refugee crisis was also a major contributor to Turkey’s out-of-control inflation last year.
Jamal Khashoggi Incident: In 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a figure of Saudi opposition, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. In the aftermath of the failed coup, Turkey, whose relations with Saudi Arabia are already tense, has tried to capitalize on the situation. For a year, Turkish media and officials gradually released information on Khashoggi’s fate, thereby putting pressure on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
However, through an alliance with the Western universe, bin Salman effectively mitigates its lasting impact on Saudi Arabia. As a result, Saudi Arabia and Turkey cut off diplomatic ties until 2023. Ankara’s strategy was successful in creating media pressure on bin Salman, but the resulting relationship cost billions of dollars for turkeys.
Relations with the UAE: In 2021, Turkey also severed relations with the UAE, with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claiming that the UAE played a key role in supporting the 2016 coup plotter by providing $3.5 billion in financial support. However, within a few years, economic pressure forced Turkey to normalize its relations with the UAE and avoid further economic losses.
Syria: Tehran’s loss, not necessarily Ankara’s profit
The recent inflammatory remarks made by the Turkish Foreign Minister to Iran, reflecting similar statements made in recent months, appears to be directly arising in Syria’s evolving situation.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was an Iranian ally, but relations deepened largely due to Dash. Iran’s presence in Syria in the 2010s was necessary as it prevented Iranians from having to fight ISIS at their borders one day. The remains of Dash, who are now trying to gain power in Syria, are trying to rebrand themselves, knowing that a pivot to extremism could lead to the same reaction that Iran, Iraq and Lebanon showed in the 2010s.
Sources have told the Tehran Times that Iran warned Assad of the November terrorist attack in northwestern Syria, but the president reportedly dismissed the warning. He, along with the rebel factions themselves, appears to be clearly underestimating the possibility that Aleppo’s attacks could lead to his downfall.
This unexpected event seems to make the turkey bolder than realistic. Iran faces complicated relationships with new Syrian leaders, but the future of Syrian representative Turkish support president remains uncertain and unstable.
Since Assad’s collapse, Israel has launched extensive attacks on Syrian military and defense infrastructure and its science and research centres, reportedly destroying more than 90%. Furthermore, Israel reoccupied all of the heights of Goran and seized control of important and strategic parts of Syrian territory through its continued expansionist policy.
Beyond Israel’s presence, Syria faces the real risk of collapse. This is definitely a result supported by Tel Aviv. Kurdish separatists who have a deep resentment to Turkey represent one important group and may even assert Turkish territory in the future. Furthermore, the increased violence is likely to cause further displacement within Syria, resulting in a larger influx of refugees into Turkey, exacerbating the existing economic challenges of Ankara.
Before prescribing foreign policy solutions to others, Turkish leaders should carefully consider their past experiences and look back on whether they are acting again in a hurry with Iran this time.