Turkey and Iran have been regional rivals for decades, with Syria as a key battleground. The ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December significantly shifted the power dynamics in the country, strengthening Ankara's position while weakening Iran's influence.

Tehran’s recent setbacks have paved the way for Ankara’s ascent. The Ankara-backed Azerbaijan’s triumph over Tehran-backed Armenia, Turkish-supported militias outmaneuvering Iran’s influence in Syria,

An aide to the Foreign Minister has reacted to recent comments by the top Turkish diplomat about Iran, telling Turkey's envoy to Tehran that "false statements and unrealistic analyses" should be avoided.

Iran has also been investing in a north-south economic corridor that will link the Caucasus and Russia with the Persian Gulf.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman has reacted to the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's statements against Iran's regional policies.

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the chargé d’affaires of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara on Tuesday for discussions on bilateral issues, a spokesperson for the ministry confirmed.

Turkey has started importing Turkmen natural gas through Iran as part of a barter arrangement, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.