Turkey-Iran relations (1950 and 1960)

This thesis aims to examine the during the period of 1950-1960 in the context of the Cold War, based on information reflected in the national press. The positioning of Turkey and Iran within the Western Bloc during this period laid the groundwork for a multidimensional cooperation process in military, economic, and cultural fields. Within this framework, the study presents a historical background and discusses the trajectory of Turkish-Iranian relations since antiquity, as well as the characteristics gained in the modern era. The first chapter investigates the historical development of Turkish-Iranian relations, revealing how the two societies interacted on political, sectarian, and cultural levels. The second chapter focuses on the relations bnd Iran since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, particularly addressing border issues, diplomatic contacts, and regional alliances. The third chapter evaluates the general outlook of Turkish-Iranian relations prior to 1950 along with press reflections; the Cold War tensions following World War II led the two countries to harmonize their mutual security policies. In this context, developments such as the Sadabad Pact, visits of the Shah of Iran to Turkey, functions of civil society organizations, and activities of friendship societies are discussed. The fourth chapter analyzes political, economic, and cultural relations in detail through news published in the Turkish press between 1950 and 1960. Turkey's NATO membership and Iran's pro-Western policies brought the two countries together under a common security understanding; the Baghdad Pact established in 1955 was a concrete reflection of this process. In trade relations, Turkey's dependence on Iranian oil and Iran's imports of agricultural and industrial products from Turkey deepened bilateral economic ties. The 1959 trade agreement and the strengthening of railway connections stand among the significant indicators of this cooperation. In the cultural field, student exchange programs, mutual art and literature activities, and the 1959 Cultural Agreement contributed to strengthening the relations between the peoples. These cultural interactions, frequently covered by the national press, also reinforced the societal dimension of diplomatic relations. However, during the same period, events such as the 1953 coup in Iran and various border issues being reported in the press indicate that the bilateral relations occasionally followed a tense course. In conclusion, this study comprehensively reveals the multidimensional development of Turkey-Iran relations on political, economic, and cultural levels during 1950-1960 and how these developments were represented in the national press. In this Cold War-shaped period, relations between the two countries witnessed significant rapprochement not only at the state level but also in society. Accordingly, it is concluded that the national press played an important role in conveying the diplomatic, economic, and cultural developments of the period to the public. Keywords: Turkey-Iran Relations, Cold War, Sadabad Pact, Baghdad Pact, National Press, Diplomacy, Economic Cooperation, Cultural Interaction.