TEHRAN - Turkish political scientist Nuray Mert calls the nuclear deal between Iran and the West “an epoch-making achievement”.

On July 14 Iran and the six major world powers(the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany)agreed on a final deal over Iran’s nuclear program. Also on July 20 all the UN Security Council members unanimously approved a resolution that creates the basis for international economic sanctions against Iran to be lifted.
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In an interview with the Tehran Times, Mert also says the nuclear pact “will help to improve regional and domestic politics for all” countries in the Middle East.

Following is the text of the interview:

Q: How do you assess the nuclear deal between Iran and 5+1 group?

A: The nuclear deal between Iran and the West is an epoch-making achievement, and for peace lovers like me it is a big event to celebrate. Since the Islamic Revolution, the confrontation between Iran and the West did a lot of harm to regional politics. Almost all regional conflicts are derived from the grand confrontation between Iran and the West for more than 35 years. The ongoing tragedy in Syria is the last outcome of this conflict. Now, the nuclear deal opens way not only for Iran to have good relations with the West but gives all of us great hope for peace in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Q: What will be the effect of this deal on the relationship between Iran and Persian Gulf Arab states?

A: It seems that the West is just realizing the high price of leaning too much on its troublesome allies, namely Sunni monarchies and emirates, Islamic radicals, and Israel. Unfortunately, it was the people who live in the region paid the highest price. The unconditional Western support enabled unjust regional regimes’ leverage to suppress their people, to engage war, and all sorts of atrocities and intrigue. Once the balance of power is better restored after Iranian deal, I believe in that it will help to improve regional and domestic politics for all those Middle East countries.

Now, I hope the time will come that all those who benefited from confrontational politics and those who provoked sectarian enmity for their own interest will pay the high price. For years, Iran was portrayed as ‘the evil force to be struggled against by all means’, in order to legitimize suppressive regimes, sectarian radicalism and all sorts of hypocrisy. So far, Iran’s politics of deal did a lot of good for regional politics, and I hope it will survive all odds and possible provocations.

Q: What will be the effect of this deal on Iran-Turkey relations?

A: As for Turkey, we could benefit from this deal more than anybody else, since Turkey-Iran relations managed to survive various challenges for a long time. One of the challenges was the fact that Turkey is a Western ally and Iran was regarded as a Western foe, now this rapprochement would be great relief. Nevertheless, Turkey’s relations with its Western allies are in its lowest point and Turkey’s Syrian politics gave a lot of harm to trust between two countries. Turkey’s recent slide into alliance with Qatar and Saudi Arabia was not only a serious drift from classical Turkish foreign policy but also it was a wrong direction in many ways. It was wrong since it helped to ruin Syria. It was wrong because Turkey and Iran have more cultural and historical ties. It was wrong because, what ties Turkey and Saudis, is more sectarianism and money than anything else. I hope Turkey will not lose time to change the course and will not only gain a lot from the nuclear deal but also will contribute to regional peace together.


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For years, Iran was portrayed as ‘the evil force to be struggled against by all means’, in order to legitimize suppressive regimes, sectarian radicalism and all sorts of hypocrisy