US expert: Middle East to benefit from Türkiye-Iran co-op

The Middle East will benefit if Türkiye and Iran find common ground and cooperate on issues of common interest. In addition, this will have a beneficial effect on the South Caucasus region, Hooshang Amirahmadi, senior researcher at Oxford University and president of the American-Iranian Council, told Report.

“Iran and Türkiye are the two most important countries in the region. They are large and historic and have leadership ambitions in the Middle East.

The complex web of games between Türkiye and Iran in relations to the Arab world, Kurds, Israel, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have often been hard to manage in a positive direction particularly because of interventions by outside powers including the US and Russia,” he noted.

However, according to the professor, the two countries are making every effort to reduce tensions in relations, despite the intrigues of major powers.

The political scientist also emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between Türkiye and Iran from the point of view of regional security in the South Caucasus.

“I support any cooperative scheme. For instance, the 3+3 format is a Russian proposal that aims to bring Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia along with Iran, Türkiye, and Russia to cooperate on trade and transport matters among themselves. But this format is very tough to implement given tremendous problems that exist between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and Georgia and Russia. There are also security issues between Iran and Azerbaijan,” the expert said.

“However, if parties could find a way to compromise, the scheme would sure have a positive impact on all parties involved. Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan could also benefit. These developments could in turn help promote peace and regional stability.”