Iran-US relations do not require rectangular thinking

Recep Teyeb Erdogan-the Turkish prime minister- has taken advantage of Barack Obama’s election as US president to change the course in Iran-US relations; and has proposed mediating between the two governments. It seems that Turkey- as one of the US allies- is trying to exploit its own increasing influence to bridge the gap between the west and the east.

On the other hand, Turkey is afraid of Iran’s political and economic isolation; because the two countries enjoy good economic and diplomatic relations and Turkey does not want to see it as otherwise.

Here is an interview with Mukun Eidipour, an international affairs expert, on the probable role of Turkey as a mediator between Iran and the US.

Why is Turkey willing to act as a mediator between Iran and the US?

Right now, there exists a chance of negotiation between Iran and the US; and many regional countries are willing to take the mediating role. But Iran’s interests on Palestinian issue and the Lebanese crisis are not the same as the Arab countries’ interests. So the only country in the region which does not have any conflict of interest with Iran is Turkey. Pakistan is somehow in the same position; but it does not have political stability and on the Afghanistan crisis, its interests are different from ours.

Turkey is now willing to get close to Iran and invest in Iranian gas projects; so they are many common interests between the two countries. At the same time, Turkey’s and Iran’s position on Iraq is somehow close because Iraq is the two country’s security concern. So it is not hard to guess why Turkey is willing to mediate between Iran and the US. Now the question is whether Iran accepts this offer or not; and is Iran willing to hand this card out to Turkey or not.

Does Turkey have the potential to do so?

Mediating between Iran and the US does not require great potentials. This is a matter of formality. It would just be primary negotiations among the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries; or at most the two foreign ministers. So it does not require particular potentials.

There is nothing to be solved by a mediator in Iran-US relations. The ice has already been broken by Iraqi officials; so the mediation is not that important. Iran and the US have their own particular positions and changing the course by a mediator is not much plausible. This is especially true because Turkey does not play a particular role in US-Iran relations. Iran-US problems are historical and old. They do not need new solutions or rectangular thinking. The problems are as old as the solutions.

Some experts believe that Turkey has been able to play a broader role in international arena, while Iran enjoys the better geopolitical situation. What do you think of that?

After the US attack on Afghanistan, Iran’s role has been increased. The reasons why Iran is a regional power are particular to Iran’s positions and Turkey can not be a substitute for that. To answer the questions on the ever growing role of Turkey and its mediations, we should not have a one-sided viewpoint. Turkey is in the regional structure. That is the reality of the Middle East. Turkey’s economy has grown fast in the last two decades and it has found its suitable place. Nowadays, Turkey has its own place in Europe; and the Americans have also concluded that they need a stable strategic ally in such a turbulent region. So Turkey has found its place and is playing its role.

But Iran’s regional standing is very exceptional and the 9/11 and the Hezbollah- Israel war made it more clear. The support given by Iran to some regional groups does not interfere with Turkey’s interests. In Caucasus and central Asia the story is the same and Turkey and Iran are both present and active.

Do you think Iran would accept Turkey’s mediation offer? What would be the probable reason of doing so?

I do not think that Iran would hand this card out to Turkey. Still, there is the possibility of reaching some agreements. Even if Iran accepts Turkey’s mediation, it would be a short-term one. There is no need to hand this card out to Turkey.