Turkey locked in regional rivalry with Iran, Saudi Arabia
Differences over Egypt and Syria are far from resolved, despite some feints at strengthening regional cooperation.
Given the scope of the crisis in Syria, Iraq and throughout the region, one might hope that the relatively stable regional powers of Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia would find a way to work together before the situation goes from bad to worse.
Such an expectation, however, is wishful thinking, as these three powers, far from cooperating, are vying for regional influence and contributing to instability in the region along sectarian lines.
Of course, on the surface it is business as usual between Turkey and these two countries, with niceties even being exchanged. For example, Turkey’s ambassador to Tehran, Umit Yardim, told the Tasnim news agency in a recent interview, “Turkey and Iran are two major players not only in the Middle East but also beyond this region.” He went on to add that these are the two main powers that can put an end to the current situation.
Exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries have not lapsed. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Tehran in January and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is slated to visit Ankara in the near future to “further enhance ties.”
