Iran :With Turkey or Syria?

16 June 2011 | 05:21 Code : 13811 Middle East.

Interview with Hasan Lasjerdi, Expert on Turkey

IRD: Tehran, Ankara, and Damascus are three important capital cities in the Middle East, and their relations have been influenced by many factors in the recent developments in the region. The issue of hosting the Syrian opposition in Antalya has raised many questions in the mind of Iranian officials regarding this trilateral relationship. How are the relations between Iran and Turkey, these two strategic allies, influenced by their different positions on Syria? Hasan Lasjerdi discusses this issue in detail.

IRD: Noting that Turkey hosted the Syrian opposition in Antalya and also the fact that Iran is considered an ally of Syria’s, it seems that Iran-Turkey relations will be also influenced by this factor. Do you think that this could create any strains in their relations?

HL: Syria is considered a strategic partner for Iran and Iran also considers Turkey as its rival. I believe that this is an appropriate situation for Iran to define its friendship and rivalry with Turkey, in other words, this could be another battle field of rivalry for Iran and Turkey.

IRD: How do you assess Turkey’s position in regards to Syria?

HL: Turkey did not reveal its disagreements with Syria in the first days of the crisis. But after a few days, especially in the days approaching its parliamentary election, Syria’s issue became one of the disputed issues among candidates. The important point for Turkey was to play a mediatory role in the recent surprising uprisings in the Arab world. However, it wasn’t able to play this role or benefit from its role in regards to Syria due to these issues:

1- Neighboring and border disputes

2- Religious views, besides political and economic issues

If we consider these conflicts an important part of the election debates in Turkey, then we should admit that Syria has become an important subject in political campaigns. This has led to the use of a harsher tone with Syria in Turkey.

IRD: What is the reason behind this change of position on the side of Turkey?

HL: One of the reasons could be the issue of playing a role in these discussions, which Turkey is very keen to do. But another reason could be the fact that these two countries are neighbors and the Al-Iskandaron dispute is brought up among them, which could also increase their rivalry.

Nevertheless, due to the fact that Turkey is a member of NATO, it tries to have a role in the Western political atmosphere as well. Therefore, since the West is trying to impose sanctions on Syria, Turkey is also trying to cooperate with them in damaging Syria’s reputation. Moreover, the behavior of the Turks is damaging Bashar Assad’s government.

IRD: How could this influence Iran-Turley relations?

HL: Iran has a strategic view of Syria. In other words, the long-term cooperation of Syria with Iran in regional developments, and especially the issue of the Resistance, has disappointed Iran (regarding Turkey’s position) and it might show this disappointment in its diplomatic relations. Iran has tried to remind the Turks to act more wisely and with more caution in the current situation.

However, I don’t think any significant change will occur in Turkey-Syria relations, and this position was mostly taken due to the approaching elections in Turkey. Their relations might go back to normal after the elections.

IRD: With the changes occurring in the region, which country, Turkey or Syria, do you think should remain Iran’s friend?

HL: I believe that each should be looked at separately, because in diplomacy setting priorities is not pragmatic or wise. Especially in the current situation, preferring one country over another would be rare behavior by governments. In other words, countries want to have relations with all other countries and they consider each relation according to its interests.

Therefore it is not right to say whether Turkey or Syria is better for Iran. Both countries are important to us, but if we have to prioritize; Syria seems to provide us with more advantages, or, in other words, Syria is more cooperative with us compared to Turkey.

IRD: Can Iran play a mediatory role between Turkey and Syria?

HL: Mediation is a form of assistance that takes place with the consent of both sides. In other words, countries cannot suddenly manage a situation and then announce it. Therefore, mediation between Turkey and Syria should take place following their own demand. Demanding is one of the legal issues at hand for countries in the current situation. Therefore, Iran can act as a mediator, but in the current critical situation it seems that this decision will not be made.