TEHRAN — While Turkey has embarked on a new path of cooperation with many countries in the region, it continues to spread allegations that could damage its relations with neighboring Iran.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is now in a new diplomatic mood. He continues to send conciliatory messages in all directions. He warmly received Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Ankara, exchanged warm greetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is expected to visit Ankara soon. Erdogan is also preparing for a historic two-day visit to Abu Dhabi on Monday.

He also considerably eased tensions with Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In Libya, he stopped protecting his allies in western Libya by force.

In a bid to speed up reconciliations with his former rivals, Erdogan has blocked Turkish media from publishing information and reports that could harm relations with many countries in the region. Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated television networks no longer operate from Turkey to target Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Hamas leaders based in Turkey are instructed to tone down their rhetoric against Israel.

All because the Turkish President suddenly discovered that “the time has come for regional initiatives for peace and cooperation”.

On Sunday, a day before his visit to the United Arab Emirates, Erdogan wrote an op-ed for the Khaleej Times newspaper, saying Ankara was willing to develop relations with all countries. “Turkey is one of the few countries that seeks to reconcile its interests with peace and stability in its foreign policy. We strive to apply this principle to all parties with whom we come into contact. Our fundamental principles are the alignment of our interests, the expansion of the fields of cooperation according to the “win-win” formula and the common fight against threats. As Turkiye, we are ready to develop our cooperation with each country and work together to solve regional problems,” he said.

But Turkey’s recent announcements about alleged attempts by Iran to kill or abduct people residing in Turkey run counter to Erdogan’s stated policy of expanding his country’s foreign relations.

Over the past few days, a deluge of accusations have been hurled by the Turkish media against Iran. On Friday, as the Israeli president’s upcoming visit to Turkey grabbed headlines, Turkish media reported that Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) had foiled an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate a Syrian man. Turkish-Israeli business using a network of hitmen.

The businessman has been identified as Yair Geller, an Istanbul-based tycoon with investments in the machinery and defense industries. MIT’s counterintelligence branch claimed the plot was a response to Israel’s 2020 assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on the outskirts of Tehran.

In addition to the Israeli businessman, MIT also claimed to have foiled another plot by Iran – this time to kidnap Iranian dissidents living in Turkey.

On Friday, MIT informed Turkish media of its alleged counterintelligence efforts that would have led to the dismantling of Iranian plotters and the Turks collaborating with them. Simultaneously, Turkish media showed footage showing arrests, house searches and the transfer of suspects.

The alleged Turkish revelations come at a time when Iran is seeking to open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, especially with neighboring countries of which Turkey is one of the most important.

Iranian President Ayatollah Seyed Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday outlined the principles and features of his administration’s foreign policy during a meeting with foreign ambassadors, heads of foreign missions and organizations in Tehran.

The President said his government has proven its sincerity in strengthening friendly relations with its neighbors and other international partners since its inauguration. “In our efforts for a new approach in the field of diplomacy, we are trying to create a new chapter of cooperation and multilateralism.”

Ayatollah Raisi added, “We have also taken effective steps to improve relations with all neighbors and by strengthening ports and transit corridors, we have paved the way for the development and expansion of cooperation with neighbors”.

Turkey, however, does not seem so eager to improve its relations with countries in the region. The recent history of Erdogan’s diplomatic reversals shows that he deals with changes in Turkey’s foreign policy only selectively. As he strives to patch up his relations with former rivals in the region, he continues to ignore the allegations propagated by his country’s media against Iran.