Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s high-profile visit to Turkey June 9-10 aimed essentially to boost economic ties, as was evident from his being accompanied by the ministers of economy, oil, transportation and telecommunications along with the central bank governor and some 100 businessmen. Events in Iraq — i.e., the advances made by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) as well as the raid on Turkey’s Mosul consulate and the taking of 49 hostages, including the consul general, by ISIS — now have the potential to also push Ankara and Tehran closer politically than in recent years.

It is no secret that Turkey and Iran are at odds over Syria, not to mention other issues, and have been engaged in what amounts to a proxy war, supporting opposing factions in that country’s sectarian civil war. The picture may be changing, however, with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad consolidating his power in regions under his control, while jihadist groups establish themselves in parts of northern Syria along the Turkish border as well as Iraq’s Nineveh province.

There was some evidence of a potential shift in the remarks of the Turkish and Iranian presidents during their joint press conference in Ankara on June 9. Referring to “the pain and destruction being suffered in the region,” Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed his confidence that the joint efforts of Turkey and Iran would make a major contribution in overcoming this situation. “This is why I see this visit as a turning point,” Gul added. 

Endorsing Gul’s sentiments, Rouhani, the first Iranian president to visit Turkey in 18 years, tellingly declared that the two countries were also determined to combat extremism and terrorism with a view toward showing the face of true Islam to the world. “The two countries are determined to increase cooperation in this area and to do what they can to increase security and stability in the region,” said Rouhani.