The killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint United States and Israeli strike is portrayed as a turning point in the Middle East, celebrated by many as the end of a repressive era. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded with public condolences and obstructed allied military operations by denying access to Turkish airspace and restricting activity at Incirlik Air Base. The article argues that these actions signaled a clear alignment with Tehran over Turkey’s Western allies.

According to the piece, Erdogan’s refusal to support the operation and his subsequent push for mediation were calculated efforts to shield Iran’s ruling system and preserve his own regional ambitions. It contends that Ankara’s moves were driven by fears of a new refugee crisis and a desire to expand influence in northern Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime.

The article further claims that Western governments have long misjudged Turkey as a reliable partner within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It points to domestic repression, military campaigns against Kurdish groups, and alleged ties to militant organizations as evidence that Erdogan’s government increasingly mirrors the authoritarianism of Tehran. The author concludes that Turkey’s foreign policy direction under Erdogan fundamentally conflicts with Western strategic interests.