Iran and Turkey look to new regional strategy - analysis

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Iran this week on his first visit to the country. Turkey has amicable ties with Iran, but now both states want to pursue a new strategy.

Fidan welcomed the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Sunday, according to Riyadh-based, English-language newspaper Arab News.

The change in tactics by Iran and Turkey is significant because both countries have reconciled with Saudi Arabia. It used to be that Ankara and Riyadh maintained different views. Today, Turkey has moderated its stance on the Muslim Brotherhood, which allies of Saudi, including Egypt, categorize as a terrorist group.

In addition, Riyadh has welcomed Syria back to the Arab League. Although China brokered the Iran-Saudi deal, Riyadh also wants to move forward on key files with Iran and Turkey, including trade and reducing tensions in the region, ushering in a new era of Middle East diplomacy.

“During a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Tehran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is working on holding a tripartite economic meeting with Saudi Arabia and Turkey,” Arab News reported.

Fidan said: “The visit will render the opportunity to discuss the possibilities for further advancing our bilateral cooperation in all fields with Iran.”

A new Iranian ambassador is also heading to Saudi Arabia. The appointment of Alireza Enayati was announced in May, but he is only now taking up his post, according to reports in the Gulf and Iran. The veteran diplomat had served in Saudi Arabia in the past, as well as in Kuwait, and is an important cog in the overall trend in Saudi-Iran ties.

Turkey and Iran share regional policies 

Regarding the context of the Turkey-Iran meeting, they share several policies in the region: Both view with suspicion the US role in Syria, and both want the Americans out. Recently, both used proxy forces in Syria to encourage Arab tribes to fight against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

Turkey also has interests in Iraq, where Fidan visited recently. Iran currently occupies Iraq using militias, while Turkey holds its own forces in the north. Both Iran and Turkey have interests in the autonomous Kurdistan Region, with Iran being close to the Kurdish PUK party, while Turkey is close to the Kurdish KDP party.

While they may not always see things the same way, their shared interests only seem to increase. They also talk together more frequently than the US does with either Turkey or Iran.

Meanwhile, reports say the US is sending envoy Brett McGurk to Saudi Arabia, meaning many diplomatic moves are in motion in the region.

 Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Bahrain this week as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went to Cyprus. Every country is working on new diplomatic fronts, and Iran and Turkey are a key part of this new trend.