Türkiye and Iran
The border, trade and regional matters connect Türkiye and Iran. The High-Level Cooperation Council has organized sectoral mechanisms since 2014. Bilateral contacts do not imply agreement on every security issue or a general mutual defense treaty.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07A border and permanent representation
Türkiye's foreign ministry describes a border of some 560 kilometers and representation through embassies and consulates.
Precedents in the face of 2026 hostilities
International communications on Iran describe a crisis subsequent to the meetings covered in the bilateral profile.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 5,551.36 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR |
| Goods: Türkiye to Iran | 3,058.06 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR |
| Goods: Iran to Türkiye | 2,493.3 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Türkiye to Iran | 1.12 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR |
| Export share: Iran to Türkiye | ||
| Investment stock: Türkiye in Iran | ||
| Investment stock: Iran in Türkiye |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR · Goods; full year; reporter TUR. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Türkiye to Iran
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR · Goods; full year; reporter TUR. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Iran to Türkiye
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR · Goods; full year; reporter TUR. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Export share: Türkiye to Iran
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / TUR · Goods share: TUR exports to the partner / exports by the same reporter to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Türkiye | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 1.6 trillion USD2025 · WB | 362.68 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 18,599.44 USD2025 · WB | 3,924.38 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 3.6 %2025 · WB | -2.83 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 37 %2026-09-10 · TCMB | |
| Inflation · annual average | 34.88 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 42.17 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 29.73 %Headline CPI · 2026-09 · year-on-year · TCMB / TURKSTAT | |
| Unemployment | 8.52 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 8.3 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -2.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -5.7 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 23.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 37.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -0.77 %2024 · WB | 0.6 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Population | 85,878,5562025 · WB | 92,417,6812025 · WB |
| Area | 785,350 km²2023 · WB | 1,745,150 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDTürkiye: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personTürkiye: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Türkiye: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Türkiye: 2026-09-10 · One-week repo auction rate · TCMB · Official central-bank decision; not a commercial lending rate or a bill yield.
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Türkiye: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedTürkiye: 2026-09 · National headline CPI, change from the same month of the previous year · TCMB / TURKSTAT · Official monthly data. Not mixed with the annual average. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionTürkiye: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, % of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, % of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Türkiye: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.Iran: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Türkiye: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.Iran: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPTürkiye: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate. The annual reference may follow Iran's fiscal calendar.
- Population
- PeopleTürkiye: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceTürkiye: 2023 · World Bank / FAO · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.Iran: 2023 · World Bank / FAO · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Türkiye to Iran
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 383 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 174.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 92.5 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 79 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 2.9 M USD2025 · Source |
Iran to Türkiye
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 46.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 22.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 5.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 2.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 1.5 M USD2025 · Source |
Connections between people
Education, work, visits and community connections have their own records and procedures. Residents are not equivalent to annual arrivals, and visits may be repeated. The tables retain dates, definitions and sources to distinguish these connections from business contracts and government decisions. [2]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Türkiye living in Iran | ||
| Residents from Iran living in Türkiye | ||
| Study and training: Türkiye in Iran | ||
| Study and training: Iran in Türkiye | ||
| Academic stays: Türkiye in Iran | ||
| Academic stays: Iran in Türkiye | ||
| Travel: Türkiye to Iran | ||
| Travel: Iran to Türkiye |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
A border and permanent representation
Türkiye's foreign ministry describes a border of some 560 kilometers and representation through embassies and consulates. Türkiye maintains consulates in Tabriz, Orumiyeh and Mashhad; Iran in Istanbul, Trabzon and Erzurum. These channels address diplomatic and consular matters different from trade. Proximity creates practical connections but does not eliminate national decisions on security and border access. [1]
The Cooperation Council
The High-Level Council was created in 2014. The profile records its eighth meeting in Ankara on 24 January 2024 and ten agreements signed during the Iranian visit. Number of instruments and implementation are different measures. Sectoral commissions and political meetings enable follow-up without turning each agreement into an investment or military guarantee. [1]
The economic dimension
The Turkish source retains a trade profile with historical periods. Those values are not relabeled as 2026 statistics. The table uses comparable customs data in both directions and keeps goods separate from contractual energy, services and capital. A stable border does not guarantee unchanging conditions for all businesses or demonstrate continuity of any route during a regional crisis. [2]
The scale of the two economies
Türkiye recorded nominal GDP of USD 1597.3 billion in 2025, compared with 362.7 in 2025 for Iran. The reference populations were 85.88 million (2025) and 92.42 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, Türkiye's nominal GDP was 4.4 times Iran's. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [5] [6]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Precedents in the face of 2026 hostilities
International communications on Iran describe a crisis subsequent to the meetings covered in the bilateral profile. The March Chinese declaration is identified as context and China's position, not Türkiye's stance. Normal operation of all crossings or contracts is not inferred from historical agreements; each observation retains its date and issuer. [3]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between Türkiye and Iran totaled 5551.4 million USD. Türkiye's shipments to Iran were USD 3058.1 million; shipments in the opposite direction were USD 2493.3 million. Türkiye's shipments to the partner represented 1.12% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporting country. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [4]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Neighborly relations and Türkiye–Iran mechanisms
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Economic cooperation with Iran
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- China's position on the war in Iran
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China · Institutional source · Document: 2026-03-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 792; partners 0,376,364,682,818
UN Comtrade / TUR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / TUR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / TUR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / TUR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / TUR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / TUR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / TUR
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / TUR
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / TUR
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / TUR
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / TUR
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 792; partners 364,682,818; X/M; annual goods.