Iran Sends Warships to Yemen After Erdogan’s Visit to Tehran

Iran sent a naval destroyer and another vessel to waters near Yemen Wednesday, heightening tensions over the Yemeni conflict that has engulfed the entire Middle East. This move comes as the United States plans to speed up its weapons deliveries to those countries involved in Operation Decisive Storm, an airstrike campaign carried out by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition of Sunni states to counter the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthis’ recent takeover of Yemen.

Iranian Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari was quoted saying that the ships “would be part of an anti-piracy campaign ‘safeguarding naval routes for vessels in the region.’” There is concern, however, that Tehran is, through the Houthis, trying to control the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and is a critical world oil route.

Iran’s actions come the day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Tehran to discuss disagreements over Yemen’s civil war and the situation in Syria while seeking deeper economic ties. Erdogan met with both Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Both sides, however, managed to avoid the subject of Yemen and discussed broadly fighting terrorism and bringing peace to the region. The main focus was economics, and eight agreements were signed, the main thrust being that Erdogan will buy much more natural gas from Iran if it lowers the price.

Trade between the two countries totaled $14.8 billion in 2013 and decreased to $13.7 billion in 2014. These numbers stem from Turkey importing about 10 billion cubic meters of Iranian gas a year. Erdogan expressed disappointment because they had not reached a $30 billion goal but is pushing for trade to increase to $35 billion by 2016.

Iran has needed Turkey’s business since coming under international sanctions over its nuclear program. The nuclear deal that Tehran is negotiating with the P5+1 is relevant because Ankara is excited at the prospect of sanctions being lifted to increase trade between both parties. Turkish Economic Minister Nihat Zeybekci acknowledged this point Monday, saying, “Turkey is the most prepared country for Iran to be free of sanctions, for Iran’s economy to normalize.”

Yesterday’s visit marked Erdogan’s first to Iran in over four years and came after the Turkish leader condemned Tehran’s involvement in Yemen and gave his support to the Saudi-led coalition. Iran’s government responded harshly and demanded an apology from Ankara.

Syria is another source of contention for both sides; while Turkey wants Bashar al-Assad’s regime to go, Iran is a longtime supporter of the Syrian leader.

Beyond the aforementioned differences, Turkey is a Sunni Muslim country becoming increasingly Islamic under Erdogan’s rule, and Iran is a predominantly Shia state. Religious differences and political disputes between Turkey and Iran have deep historical roots going back to the intense rivalry between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires, antagonism that remains to this day.

Furthermore, both Ankara and Tehran are expanding their influence outside of the region. Somalia is one example where Turkey has gone to great lengths to form a strong relationship in part to counter Iran’s activities in Africa. This dynamic is also expanding to Latin America where Iran has an entrenched presence, which Turkey is trying to combat.

Despite being at odds over many issues, Turkey and Iran have managed to maintain a somewhat cordial relationship, primarily due to economic ties but also because of less publicized activities. Both parties have “clandestine coordination” between security forces to counter Iranian opposition activists and Kurdish forces. Furthermore, Erdogan has given political support to Iran’s uranium enrichment program likely with strong energy trade in mind.

The Turkish-Iranian relationship is complex with ideology and pragmatism both playing significant, often conflicting roles. As the Middle East develops into a bilateral geopolitical situation pitting the Iranian-led axis against the Sunni Arab states, Turkey is working both sides to put itself in the best possible position. Ankara may be the wildcard in how the region’s balance of power shifts, but Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman policies could raise a new set of problems going forward. Regardless, Yemen has become a focal point for these issues, and Iran sending warships to the area shows how serious this situation is becoming.