Iranian Analyst: Russian Sanctions Could Topple Erdogan

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Iranian

An Iranian Middle East expert predicts that the recent economic sanctions imposed on Turkey by Russia over the downing of a Russian bomber, could topple Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Abdoulkarim Firouzkalaei, a lecturer at Tehran University’s international affairs department, says that crippling Russian sanctions on Turkey could eventually lead to a “regime change” in Ankara.

Sputnik reports:

Relations between Turkey and Iran have also soured in recent years, and more recently over Erdogan’s phone call to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in which the former warned against publications regarding ties between Erdogan’s family and Daesh oil smuggling. Iran has otherwise been reluctant to invigorate tensions with Turkey.

According to Firouzkalaei, the numerous sanctions Russia enacted against Turkey could cripple Turkey’s already troubled economy and drive it into stagnation.

“As a result, the ruling Justice and Development party will lose the main portion of its electorate. There will be changes in the system of power, and I would not exclude the change of Ankara’s ruling regime. If Erdogan continues conducting presumptuous policies, he will lose power,” Firouzkalaei told Sputnik Persian.

Firouzkalaei also presented a scenario, in which a cut-off in Russian oil and gas exports to Turkey could trigger the toppling of Erdogan. As Tehran awaits the lifting of international sanctions, it is also seeking new markets to sell its oil and gas in face of limited export routes and a global supply glut.

“Economic sanctions are weakening Erdogan’s power right before our eyes. In shooting down the Russian bomber over Syrian territory, the Turkish leader tripped, most of all himself,” Firouzkalaei added.

 

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