Turkey and Iran Relations

Relations between Turkey and Iran have warmed in recent years.Just last month, the two sides announced a trade agreement including construction of new power plants and establisment of free trade zone on the border .Turkey also relies on Iran as a major supplier of natural gas.Turkey also opposes U.S backed sanctions on Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program.Just last week, Turkish Prime Minister Rcep Tayyip Erdogan met with President Barack Obama at the White House.’We believe that the role of Iran can only be changed through diplomacy’Mr.Erdogan said afterward.
US Officials view Turkey a s a central player in forging an international consensus on presuuring Iran, due to Ankara’s economic and diplomatic ties to Tehran and Mr.Edogan’s considerable influence across the Middle East.The Obama Administration also sees Turkey a s a crucial ally in addressing a range of regional security issues, including Iraq and Afghanistan.