Philenews

Why Iran's Potential Collapse Scares Ankara

Published January 19, 2026, 16:15
Why Iran's Potential Collapse Scares Ankara

The crisis in Iran has starkly revealed the limits of both military power and spontaneous popular uprisings, as even extensive bombardments cannot overthrow a regime with a strong grip on security mechanisms and a willingness to use extreme violence. The lack of unified leadership and an organized network among protesters weakens their ability to transform anger into political force. Despite the Iranian regime's lack of popularity, its organization and fear make it particularly aggressive and determined. The suppression of protests is harsh, but the possibility of a new uprising in the future, this time more organized, remains real. The regime invests in controlling information, cutting off the internet to limit the spread of messages and control communication networks. Developments in Iran have caused concern in Turkey, which fears the strengthening of Kurdish separatist groups. In the event of Iran's collapse, the PKK could gain strategic depth and access to weapons, leading to the connection of Kurdish zones in Iran, Iraq, and Syria. This scenario is a red line for Turkey, as it threatens its state cohesion and national security.