{"id":3712,"date":"2026-05-21T10:24:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genesisarmenia.am\/?p=3712"},"modified":"2026-05-21T10:36:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:36:38","slug":"dual-game-how-turkey-benefits-from-the-iran-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genesisarmenia.am\/en\/dual-game-how-turkey-benefits-from-the-iran-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Dual game: How Turkey benefits from the Iran crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Against the backdrop of the ongoing processes around Iran, Turkey\u2019s role has become multi-layered, requiring precise calculation. Ankara\u2019s goal is to maintain its role for the West, preserve its influence in the Middle East, expand its positions in the South Caucasus and in the broader Turkic world, taking advantage of the current geopolitical tensions. For this purpose, Turkey often tries to present itself as a \u201cmediator\u201d in conflicts such as the Russian\u2013Ukrainian war, Somalia\u2013Ethiopia conflict, as well as the US\u2013Israel\u2013Iran confrontation.<\/p>\n

In this climate of tension, Ankara prioritizes maintaining good-neighbourly relations with Iran and Russia, while simultaneously preserving its ties with the United States and NATO. Through this dual game, Turkey seeks to remain an indispensable partner for all sides, viewing this as the foundation for its mediating role.<\/p>\n

It is well known that Turkey, by carefully leveraging its geographical position, has always aspired to become a unique economic hub across multiple directions. In the current context of the war against Iran, it is seeking even more strongly to take advantage of the situation and transform itself into an energy and transport hub\u2014becoming a key energy corridor to Europe and thereby strengthening its position as a major transit route (gas, oil, freight transport, etc.). In this context, Ankara is also trying to strengthen its role in the South Caucasus, especially regarding communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Turkey has even deployed troops into northern Syria and Iraq without international mandates and justified this through its own \u201csecurity\u201d rationale.<\/p>\n

In light of the developments around Iran, Turkey\u2019s strategy is as follows: in the event of a possible weakening of Iran, to fundamentally attempt to change the balance of power not only in the Middle East but also in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.<\/p>\n

Turkey is particularly trying to strengthen its influence in the South Caucasus by leveraging Azerbaijan and promoting transport projects, especially the concept of the \u201cZangezur Corridor\u201d (TRIPP). The implementation of this project would significantly limit Iran\u2019s regional role, directly affect Russia and Armenia, and thereby change the regional balance, potentially strengthening Turkey\u2019s role for the West and NATO.<\/p>\n

Turkey is seeking to take maximum advantage of the TRIPP project, positioning itself as a partner of the West and NATO while simultaneously acting with greater flexibility in its relations with Azerbaijan. In this context, the idea of the \u201cZangezur Corridor,\u201d regardless of how it is framed, is being turned into a unique instrument for increasing pressure on Armenia. In this regard, it is noteworthy to mention the view of Abraham Gasparyan, founding director of Genesis Armenia; according to him, one of the US objectives within TRIPP is also to control Turkey\u2019s \u201cpolitical Sunnism.\u201d<\/p>\n

It should also be noted that analysts have not yet seriously discussed a new \u201cplayer\u201d emerging in the South Caucasus\u2014Israel\u2014which has so far chosen Azerbaijan, a Turkish ally, as its foothold. This requires separate analysis.<\/p>\n

Turkey also calculates that the weakening of Iran\u2014for example in Central Asia\u2014means:<\/p>\n