Tensions between Turkey and Iran escalated this week as both countries summoned each other’s diplomats following critical remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Iran’s support for militias in Syria and other regions, according to AP News.
On Monday, a senior Iranian official, Mahmoud Heidari, met with the Turkish ambassador to Tehran, emphasising the need to avoid “inappropriate remarks and unrealistic analyses” that could harm bilateral relations. Heidari also urged Muslim countries to focus on addressing Israel’s actions in Palestine and Syria, rather than engaging in disputes with one another.
In response, Turkey summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires on Tuesday. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Öncü Keçeli stated that the Iranian diplomat was reminded that foreign policy matters should not be exploited for domestic political purposes and that communication should occur directly between officials, not through public statements.
The tensions stem from an interview Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan gave to Al-Jazeera last week, in which he criticised Iran’s reliance on militias in the Middle East as a “risky” strategy. Fidan warned that supporting groups to create unrest in other countries could lead to similar actions being taken against Iran.
If you try to create unrest in another country by supporting a group there, another country might try to create unrest in your country by supporting a group here.
The diplomatic row reflects the broader geopolitical rivalry between Turkey and Iran, particularly in Syria. The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government has weakened Iran’s influence in the country, while Turkey’s role has grown significantly. Turkey views Iran-backed militias as a threat to its interests and regional stability.
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani described Fidan’s remarks as “unconstructive” and expressed hope that such comments would not be repeated.
