In an opinion published by “The Arab Weekly” newspaper in which it said, “the US is increasing pressures on Tehran and Ankara, with Tehran, it’s almost a declared war while the pressure on Ankara is less than war but more than just tension.”
The Arab Weekly added, “Before going into the limited options available to the Turks and Iranians in the face of the growing US escalation against them, it is important to note that the US position regarding both countries reflects Washington’s decision on its priorities in its Middle East alliances.”
It said in the same context, “The fact that Turkey and Iran are major sources of terrorism in the world has become a major determinant of US policy towards the Middle East. The list of designated terrorist groups has expanded to include Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
Washington has sensed the Turks’ support of terrorism through their covert support of Daesh and their ostentatious support of al-Nusra Front in Syria. Washington also has had it with Ankara’s open-door policy towards so-called political Islamist groups, notably the Muslim Brotherhood. Ankara and its Arab acolytes have claimed that these groups were peaceful and do not carry sabers or guns.”
The Arab Weekly newspaper noted,” Obviously, Iran and Turkey can no longer play the game of pretending to fight terrorism with one hand while supporting it with the other.
ISIS is mostly gone and gone with it are Ankara’s and Tehran’s dreams of dominating the Middle East. Washington seems to be telling both capitals: “You’re not getting more than what I agree to give you and I will not tolerate voices above mine.”
Turkey’s exploitation of its relations with the Russians to blackmail the United States has become a scornful game for both Moscow and Washington. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cannot escape choosing between the two. His party’s loss in the municipal elections is a sign of the failure of his foreign policy and his quixotic enterprises.
Of course, choosing between the Russians and the Americans is a luxury Erdogan can no longer afford. The Russians have given him as much as they can in Syria.
As for the European Union, it doesn’t appear able to do anything about the differences between Washington on the one hand and Ankara and Tehran on the other.
The economic pain caused by US sanctions has hit both the Turks and the Iranians and the prescription for its cure is in Trump’s hands.
Not long ago, Ankara was Tehran’s secret back door through which it could escape Washington’s sanctions. Today, both capitals are looking for a savior to rescue them from the same predicament.
On top of that, Iran and Turkey’s options in the face of mounting American anger have almost faded away.
One serious option for the two oppressed allies is to start small and scattered war fronts in Syria but that is not as easy as it sounds and will not get them out of the pickle they’re in.
It’s not easy to win a battle in Syria without Russia’s support and, when the foe is Washington, Moscow will stand on the sidelines.
Being in the same trench does not necessarily mean that Ankara and Tehran should join hands to face Washington. If Iran’s single option is to declare a full-scale war against US allies in the region, Turkey would certainly prefer reconciliation with Washington, even at the expense of Erdogan’s dreams in Syria.
