Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 12
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Lack of time was the explanation given by Iran for the cancellation of the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Turkey, but Turkey's political elite is more than confident that the reason for the cancellation of the visit is namely the fact that Tehran is dissatisfied with Ankara's regional policy.
Iran's basic dissatisfaction is the fact that Ankara is conducting military operations in northern Iraq and Syria.
Interestingly, the Iranian government media strongly criticizes political figures of Turkey, and at the same time, even a number of spiritual leaders don't hide their aggression against Ankara and compare Turkey's policy with the policy of Israel in the region.
It was clear that the expected lifting of sanctions against Iran and rapprochement with the West would sooner or later affect Iranian-Turkish relations.
An agreement on the Iranian nuclear program and the expected lifting of sanctions against Tehran will not only lead to the development of the Islamic Republic, but also cause a redistribution of forces in the region. It is not excluded that Iran will seek to revive its historic sphere of influence in the region.
Despite the close economic relations between Iran and Turkey, Ankara and Tehran conduct a diametrically opposite policy in the region.
While Tehran is supporting the Syrian authorities, Ankara considers them the main cause of all ills. Hezbollah helps Iran to support the Syrian government.
During a visit to Lebanon, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a meeting with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah who is already considered to be an enemy of Turkey.
If we compare the situation in Turkey and Iran in the region, one can say that irrespective of Turkey's being a super power in the region, Iran always has the luck.
While Turkey was trying to pursue a policy of "zero problems with neighbors", which as Turkish authorities say failed due to the faults of neighboring Arab countries', Iran was expanding its interests over the region, especially in such countries as the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen.
Such countries as Syria, Iraq and Lebanon have long been under Iran's influence.
Disagreements between Ankara and Tehran no doubt are currently in the first stage.
Iran, at the moment, wants to isolate Turkey from the Middle East policy.
This, of course, will sooner or later bring these two powers to sorting things out in the region.
Edited by CN
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Rufiz Hafizoglu is the head of Trend Agency's Arabic news service, follow him on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
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