- Turkey and Iran summon each other's diplomats over policy disagreements
- Ankara criticizes Tehran's reliance on armed groups in Syria
- Regional power dynamics shift as Assad's influence wanes
The diplomatic rift between Turkey and Iran intensified this week as both nations summoned each other's envoys. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's public criticism of Iran's militia-backed foreign policy sparked the confrontation, with Tehran calling the remarks unconstructive.Analysts suggest the dispute reflects broader Sunni-Shia geopolitical competition, particularly in post-civil war Syria where both countries vie for influence.
Iran's temporary recall of its Ankara ambassador follows Turkey's objections to proxy forces like Liwa Fatemiyoun operating near Turkish borders. Middle East security expert Dr. Amir Khoshnazar notes: Tehran's militia-first approach creates blowback risks – we've seen similar patterns in Yemen's Houthi conflict.The Turkish government now faces pressure to address Iranian-backed groups facilitating migrant crossings into Eastern Europe.
Syria's destabilized northwest region serves as a microcosm of the tensions. While Turkish-backed opposition forces control Idlib province, Iranian militias dominate eastern supply routes. This division complicates reconstruction efforts and humanitarian aid distribution, with 3.4 million displaced Syrians caught in the crossfire of proxy rivalries.
Economic factors further strain relations. Turkey's $2.3 billion cross-border trade initiative with Iraq faces threats from Iranian-aligned Hashd al-Shaabi units. Meanwhile, Tehran struggles to maintain militia funding amid 42% annual inflation – a pressure point Ankara could exploit through joint currency swap agreements.
The diplomatic spat coincides with shifting U.S. priorities in the region. Washington's reduced military presence creates power vacuums that both Turkey and Iran seek to fill through competing alliances. However, sustained confrontation risks destabilizing critical energy corridors and refugee containment zones.