https://arab.news/meb79
Turkiye is walking a tightrope as the Iran-Israel war intensifies. Given its long border with Iran and its complicated — often tense — relations with Israel, while being one of the few regional actors maintaining backchannels with Israel, Iran and the US, Ankara’s position is particularly significant.
Soon after Israel launched its attacks on Iran, Ankara swiftly responded: the Foreign Ministry issued a condemnation of Israel and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also made a statement. Turkiye’s current approach is shaped by a combination of security concerns, its position within the Western alliance and its relations with both Iran and Israel.
Turkiye, Iran and Israel are the three non-Arab middle powers in the Middle East whose relationships have always influenced the regional balance of power. Within this context, Turkiye would normally welcome the weakening of Iranian influence in the region. However, the unprecedented escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, and the broader consequences of this war, are of far greater concern to Ankara than a diminished Iran.
To be clear, although the Turkish ruling elite and the public are not pleased with Tehran’s domestic and regional policies, they would not favor regime change in Iran — especially if it were to come at the hands of Israel or the US. The memory of what happened in Iraq and elsewhere remains fresh in the minds of the Turkish people.
