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Iran-Turkey: regional rivals with growing economic co-op

Politics Materials 29 March 2015 17:31 (UTC +04:00)
Just when the Islamic Republic was starting to enjoy itself as a regional political leader, the country was surprised by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s air strikes against Shiite rebels in Yemen, known as Houthis.
Iran-Turkey: regional rivals with growing economic co-op

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 29

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

They say one day is too long in politics. Just when the Islamic Republic was starting to enjoy itself as a regional political leader, the country was surprised by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition's air strikes against Shiite rebels in Yemen, known as Houthis.

Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched air strikes on the Houthi militia forces in Yemen March 25, in a move to support President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. While Turkey and some Arab states have accused Iran of supporting the Houthis, Tehran has denied the allegations.

Now the Islamic republic's regional rivals sent a clear message to Tehran that they are not going to step back. The traditional competition between Iran and the region's Arab states now emerges with a clearer aspect of a Shiite-Sunni confrontation, a frightening prospect that could very well drag the entire region into a major conflict.

The borders between the Shiite and Sunni blocs are much clearer now as Turkey, Iran's western neighbor, is adopting more significant steps in support oft the Sunni bloc.

Turkish president Recep Tayyep Erdogan has accused Iran of trying to dominate the Middle East and its efforts have began to annoy Ankara, as well as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab countries. The statements came ahead of Erdogan's visit to Iran which is scheduled for early April.

Erdogan also has expressed support for the Saudi-led military operation against Iran backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and called on the militia group and its "foreign supporters" to abandon acts which threaten peace and security in the region.

Iran and Turkey are already clashing over a number of issues, in particular their supporting opposing sides in the Syrian civil war. Erdogan's unprecedented criticism of the Islamic Republic which unveiled previously camouflaged differences is a message that Turkey is not determined to withdraw.

Erdogan's comments have triggered severe reactions in Iran. The country's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized Erdogan saying those who have inflicted irreparable damage with their strategic mistakes and high ambitions would better adopt wise policies to use existing potentials in preserving regional peace and integrity.

Ahmad Tavakkoli, an Iranian conservative lawmaker has asked the Foreign Ministry to postpone Erdogan's scheduled trip to Tehran. He also accused President Hassan Rouhani's administration of not taking a firmer stance against Erdogan comments.

Another conservative MP, Mansour Haghighatpour, deputy chairman of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said Erdogan's visit to Tehran would be fruitless if he does not withdraw his comments.

But the harshest statements came from Hossein Shariatmadari, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative to hardliner newspaper Kayhan. He called Erdogan's upcoming visit to Iran a betrayal to the "Yemeni martyrs" and asked the Iranian government to cancel the visit.

On the other hand Iran and Turkey share very close economic ties despite taking part in opposing blocs.

Tehran and Ankara intend to increase their trade volume to $30 billion in the current year. The two states have signed a preferential trade agreement that could pave the way for a hike in bilateral trade. The two countries' trade turnover stood at $13.7 billion in 2014, according to data released by Turkish Statistical Institute.

The trade turnover between Turkey and Iran stood at $22 billion in 2012 before dipping to $14.5 billion in the following year due to the economic sanctions imposed on Tehran by the West.

The pragmatist administrations from both sides are determined to not allow the political tensions to affect the economic goals.

The Iranian government has tried to decrease the tension by remaining silent. Even Zarif's statements should be considered as a routine diplomatic comment not a sign of challenge, something that left the Iranian conservatives unsatisfied.

On the other hand, Ibrahim Kalin, Turkey's presidential spokesman said that no changes have been made to Erdogan's trip to Iran, adding that Iran is an important neighbor with strong trading ties.

"The latest developments in Yemen show the importance of Erdogan's trip to Iran," he underlined.

The two parties have earlier successfully overcome their differences during the civil war in Syria and it seems they will continue the same policy during the ongoing crisis.

Umid Niayesh is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh

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