Turkey and Iran in a Changing Middle East: Can Managed Rivalry Endure?

In this episode, Odin Linardatou speaks with Dr. Derya Göçer, Associate Professor at Middle East Technical University, about the evolving dynamics of Turkey–Iran relations amid profound regional upheaval. The discussion explores how the Gaza war, the fall of the Assad regime, and the 2026 US-Israeli military campaign against Iran have reshaped the strategic landscape of the Middle East. Drawing on her recent research, Dr. Göçer examines the resilience of the "managed rivalry" between Ankara and Tehran, the sources of Iran's remaining leverage, Turkey's growing regional influence, and the constraints that continue to limit bilateral cooperation. The conversation also assesses the future of one of the region's most enduring relationships in an era of uncertainty and transformation.