The Iranian clerical regime is facing growing diplomatic isolation following a heated exchange with Turkey over regional influence. Iranian officials, rattled by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s remarks on Tehran’s destabilizing policies, reacted with their usual defensiveness—summoning Turkey’s ambassador and issuing sharp rebukes through state-controlled media.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the regime’s long-standing reliance on sectarian militias to exert control in the region. “If you try to create unrest in a third country, others may support groups within your own borders to cause you discomfort,” Fidan warned.
This statement sent Tehran into an immediate diplomatic uproar. Iranian state media, including Kayhan, labeled Fidan’s remarks “provocative” and accused Turkey of “aligning with foreign actors to undermine Iran’s regional position.” Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, issued a veiled threat: “If some in Turkey think they can weaken Iran’s standing by repeating baseless accusations and succumbing to foreign influences, they are gravely mistaken.”
Iranian MP Fathollah Tavassoli, in a separate Kayhan report, warned that Turkey should “learn from past geopolitical shifts,” emphasizing that Iran has consistently maintained its regional position despite foreign interventions. He added, “In the end, it is neighbors who will support Turkey, not those seeking to use it as a pawn against Iran.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey’s ambassador, Hicabi Kırlangıç, warning against “wrongful remarks and unrealistic analyses that could create tensions.” Yet, in a retaliatory move, Turkey also summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Ankara, further exposing Tehran’s eroding influence in diplomatic circles.
Turkey’s Media Highlights Iran’s Weakening Influence
Turkish media also reacted strongly, portraying Iran’s aggressive diplomatic response as a sign of desperation. Mepa News noted that “Iran is clearly concerned about its diminishing role in Syria, particularly after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.” The article emphasized that Tehran’s use of proxy militias is not only unsustainable but has also drawn regional backlash.
Similarly, Channel8 described the Iranian regime’s warnings to Turkey as “hollow threats,” quoting a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson who stated, “Foreign policy issues should never be used as a tool for domestic political gain. Unfortunately, we see that Iranian officials are increasingly voicing their criticisms of Turkey in public rather than through diplomatic channels.”
Serhat News highlighted Turkey’s growing frustration with Tehran’s interventions in Syria, quoting Fidan’s key remark: “If Iran continues its policies, it is walking a dangerous path. No country can act without consequences in today’s geopolitical environment.” The report underscored how Tehran’s regional overreach has left it diplomatically vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Yirmidört TV focused on Iran’s internal struggles, stating that “Iran’s leadership is reacting out of fear, knowing that its regional policies are failing. The economic crisis at home and its waning influence abroad have left the clerical rulers with few options beyond aggressive rhetoric.”
The Regime’s Fading Grip on Regional Politics
Iran’s clerical establishment has long relied on proxy forces to maintain its grip on power beyond its borders. However, its strategic setbacks in Syria, particularly after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, have forced Tehran into a defensive posture. The new government in Damascus has distanced itself from Iranian influence, further exposing Tehran’s vulnerabilities.
The Iranian regime, rather than reassessing its failed interventions, continues to deflect blame. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said, “Perhaps our Turkish friends should spend more time reflecting on the Zionist regime’s policies in Syria and the region.”
Rather than addressing the root causes of its diminishing influence, Iran’s clerical regime clings to outdated tactics of provocation and deflection. The backlash to Fidan’s remarks underscores a broader trend: Tehran is increasingly isolated, and its ability to control regional narratives is weakening.
As the regime continues its aggressive rhetoric, its neighbors and even former allies are moving beyond Iran’s influence. The question is no longer whether the regime will lose its regional stronghold but how long it can sustain the illusion of control. With its leadership cornered and facing a shifting geopolitical landscape, the clerical regime finds itself with fewer allies and even fewer options.
Source » ncr-iran