Türkiye and the Iran-Israel War

Nagihan Toka

In the course of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, which was initiated by Israel's missile strike on Tehran on June 13, Türkiye was one of the most strategically attentive and diplomatically engaged actors in the region, despite not being a direct participant in the conflict. Ankara's position, deeply rooted in historical policy trends and current geopolitical calculations, reflected a nuanced balance between regional stability, national security, and international diplomacy.

Türkiye’s Diplomatic Ties With Iran
 
Türkiye's relationship with Iran has been shaped by centuries of shared borders, mutual economic dependencies, and a substantial Turkic population in Iran. This has resulted in consistent relations management through cautious dialogue rather than confrontation. Since the 2000s, Türkiye has sought to assume the role of mediator between Iran and the West, particularly regarding the issue of nuclear proliferation. This was most notably exemplified by the 2010 Tehran Declaration, a trilateral accord among Türkiye, Brazil, and Iran. The Declaration advocated for the peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy and sought to allay Western apprehensions through negotiation, as opposed to the use of sanctions or threats. Despite the failure of the Declaration to achieve its long-term objectives, it consolidated Türkiye's self-ascribed role as a diplomatic bridge in the nuclear debate. It is evident that throughout the years, Türkiye has persisted in its commitment to this role, with a significant emphasis on promoting diplomatic engagement and dialogue, even in the context of escalating tensions between Iran and Western powers.
 
Türkiye’s Security Concerns and Strategic Responses
 
Türkiye’s primary security concerns in this war were as follows: the potential migration flow from Iran; the strengthening of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), the Iranian branch of the PKK, by taking advantage of the ongoing turmoil in Iran; and public concerns that the Kürecik Radar Base, established in Malatya in 2012, transmits intelligence to Israel. The United States established this base with the primary objective of analysing threats in the region, with a particular focus on Iran. The base plays a key role in disseminating intelligence to NATO countries. Nevertheless, the primary concern for Türkiye pertains to the transfer of intelligence to Israel via the United States. Consequently, there have been calls in the public domain for the closure of the Kürecik Radar Base. In light of these concerns and threats, Türkiye has pursued a diplomatic approach, primarily engaging with Iran, the United States, and subsequently with Russia, Jordan, Yemen, and Oman.

In a series of high-level deliberations with President Donald Trump, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan concurred with Trump that the resumption of nuclear negotiations constituted the sole viable avenue for achieving peace. In contrast to the criticism often directed towards U.S. policy, Erdoğan advocated for a diplomatic approach to reduce conflict and maintain regional stability. Within the borders of Türkiye, institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have undertaken an urgent evaluation of the broader ramifications of the war. The Turkish government did not perceive the conflict as merely a limited dispute between Iran and Israel; rather, it was regarded as a significant threat to the entire Middle East, with the potential to ignite a sequence of instabilities.
 
In public statements, Erdoğan adopted a balanced and cautious tone. Türkiye issued a strong censure of Israel's military actions, which it characterised as a growing threat to regional peace, but refrained from issuing a direct condemnation of Iran. In contrast, Ankara expressed its condolences to Iran for the losses it suffered, reflecting a more measured and diplomatic stance. This response was consistent with Türkiye's long-standing approach of managing relations with Iran through dialogue, mutual respect, and non-intervention. At the same time, the war gave rise to profound domestic deliberations concerning Türkiye’s defence posture. The prospect of long-range missile attacks and high-intensity air operations has underscored the necessity to fortify national defence systems. Consequently, Türkiye has expedited efforts to enhance its drone and missile capabilities, modernize its radar and surveillance infrastructure, and improve its overall air defense.
 
In conclusion, Türkiye cannot remain indifferent to regional developments due to its geopolitical position and endeavours to sustain a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy. Whilst maintaining a critical stance towards Israel, Türkiye refrains from overtly aligning with or distancing itself from Iran. The heightened tensions in the region have compelled Türkiye to emphasize strengthening its military capabilities and advancing its defense technologies. When viewed through the lens of its broader Middle East policy, it is evident that Türkiye is an actor focused on safeguarding its national interests and border security, while preserving its active and influential role in regional affairs. Nevertheless, despite the persistent challenges in achieving consensus among the parties involved, Türkiye remains committed to promoting diplomatic solutions as a fundamental element of its regional approach.

About the Author
Nagihan Toka was an intern in IFI's Regional & International Affairs Cluster.