Following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Iran’s Foreign Minister traveled to Türkiye for high-level meetings. He was already scheduled to go to Türkiye as part of a regional tour he is doing. He has been to Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, strengthening Iran’s influence and seeking to isolate Israel.
Following Sinwar’s death, it appears that Iran and Türkiye will be making an extra effort to support Hamas and Hezbollah. Both Iran and Türkiye support Hamas against Israel. Iran also backs Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian state media on October 19 highlighted that “Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned about the expansion of war in the region, noting that there is a common understanding about the threat of conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and the critical situation of the displaced.”
Araghchi was participating in a South Caucasus regional conference. However, he is taking advantage of these events to criticize Israel and create a unified front with Türkiye.
For example, IRNA noted that he “said that his visit to Istanbul coincided with his regional tour to the neighboring country to hold talks on the Israeli regime’s aggressions that have created a dangerous situation in the region.” Iran has strengthened its ties with Ankara in the last decade. They don’t agree on everything, but they have many interests in common. Both countries have close ties with Qatar, for example. Qatar hosts Hamas.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters during a rally in Ankara, Türkiye, August 14, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/UMIT BEKTAS/FILE PHOTO)
Expanding further
Türkiye and Iran are also discussing developments between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Historically, Türkiye has maintained strong ties with Azerbaijan, while Iran has had positive relations with Armenia. Russia has played on all sides; It has close ties to Iran and Türkiye, and stood by as Azerbaijan fought Armenia and took control of Nagorno-Karabakh in recent years.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ankara have shown an increasingly hostile attitude toward Israel over the past year. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used very harsh language against Israel.
