Turkish Iranian relations in the contex of being regional power after 2002

This study sought to clarify the struggle between Turkey-Iran to be a regional power on their land and their foreign policy instruments and corporations in the covered period, considering relatively smooth relations between Turkey and Iran in the 1990s and 2000s. Indeed, ideology has had a significant place in mutual relations between Iran and Turkey for a long time. Ideological factors formed the reasons for conflict between Turkey and Iran in the 1990s. However, ideological differences between the two countries did not lead any serious conflict. After the collapse of Soviet Union, there was regional competition that involved Caucasia and Middle Asia between two states. Iran was trying to use her Shi?ite identity to establish hegemony on the region; on the other hand, Turkey was trying to aggregate Turcoman states in order to become economic and cultural power.The year of 2002 could be defined as a landmark of Turkish-Iranian relations because both countries admired to improve economic and political ties with each other. Definitely, this devoted intent should not be evaluated as a perfect period. In spite of the fact that Turkey and Iran have been enthusiastic to have strong ties, they are rival countries. As a matter of fact, affairs between Turkey and Iran could be named ?rival corporations?. For a better or worse, Turkey and Iran are important competitors but they ought to have strong collaborations together because Turkey is a ?balancer of balance? state on her region while Iran has a significant geo-political and geo-strategically position on her land. Overseas states could make policy whatever they prefer, but Turkey and Iran have been neighbouring countries, they should tolerate each other?s reactions and find out common political interests.