Turkey and Iran in a Recalibrated Middle East

By Gulf State Analytics

In this paper, we discuss:

• Turkey and Iran’s accelerating strategic dialogue amid shifting regional dynamics;
• Their shared perception of Israel as the primary destabilising force in the Middle East;
• Turkey’s fears of renewed Israel–Iran conflict and concerns about becoming a potential target itself;
• Growing cooperation on Afghan migration, trade logistics, and sanctions evasion;
• Tehran’s use of engagement with Ankara to relieve isolation while managing a “cooperative rivalry”;
• How geopolitical pressures are pushing both states toward closer coordination despite persistent structural tensions.

Download PDF: Turkey-Iran December 2025