Iran-Turkey Rivalry Worsens Over Patriot Deployment
Kadri Gursel writes that Iran's fury at NATO's deployment of Patriot missiles to Turkey is also related to Anakara and Tehran's competing interests in Syria.
Iran was outraged by NATO’s decision to deploy six Patriot batteries at Turkey’s request — two each from the US, Germany and the Netherlands — in Turkey.
On Dec. 15, Iranian Chief of Staff General Hassan Firouzabadi said, “Each one of these Patriots is a black mark on the world map, and is meant to cause a world war. They are making plans for a world war and this is very dangerous for the future of humanity and for the future of Europe itself.”
This was truly an out-of-line, neurotic reaction that reflected a messianic mindset. Then, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad canceled his scheduled visit to Turkey. The Turkish press said Ahmedinejad had to cancel his visit as a reaction to the Patriots.
Then, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi chimed in: “The deployment of Patriot missiles will achieve nothing but provocation and, God forbid, result in others being forced into uncalculated actions. Their deloyment is more of a provocation than a deterrent, and they won’t help regional security.”
