Page 10 - Azerbaijan State University of Economics

P.M.Ignatiev, P.V.Bovsunivskyi: Turkey and Iran: political rivalry and economic cooperation
through the ages

Islamic revolution of 1979 in Iran, which destroyed the pro-American regime
Muhammed Raza Pahlavi, led to some crucial changes in the field of foreign policy

whereas Turkey, as NATO member, continued to support the USA in the region and

allowed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to use its soil for the military maneuvers. On

the other hand, Iran, which even used to sell the oil to Jewish state via Red sea route

under the regime of Shah, suddenly became the principal advesary of Israel and the

USA. Moreover, the Islamic revolution pitted against each other two different

ideologies – the one of Turkish military circles, as the protectors of secular regime

and executionists of coup d'état against Islamic forces, and another − of new

political elite of Iran, represented by fanatical religious establishment, which strived

to export Shia revolution to the Greater Middle East.

Nevertheless, despite the mutual distrust, international events suddenly led to the

temporary reconciliation of both neigbours. Turkey became isolated after the invasion

of Cyprus in 1974 and the creation of de-facto pawn state of Northern Cyprus in areas,

which encompassed the lands with abundant rainfall and harvests of wheat, famous

resort town of Varosha, huge port of Famagusta and only international airport in

Nicosia. This led to the immediate deterioration of relations of official Ankara with the

Western countries and introduction of international sanctions against Northern Cyprus.

To add insult to injury, the army orginazed the coup in September 1980. Under those

conditions Turkey decided not to take sides in the regional conflict of Iraq and Iran in

1980-1988, but rather to capitalize on it economically due to shared border with both

countries. Official Ankara considered the war as the opportunity to get profits from

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