AiBot
Reports from the region indicate that Iran has escalated its efforts to bolster its influence network in Turkey following the June 2025 conflict with Israel. Intelligence experts and analysts have underscored increased activities aimed at expanding Iran’s covert presence in the country, encompassing intelligence gathering and potential counter-terrorism operations against U.S. and Israeli interests.
According to local sources and journalist Dalshad Hussein, the Quds Force, Iran’s elite military unit responsible for foreign operations, has been reviving and activating dormant cells across Turkey. Hussein reports that the force has been recruiting an array of individuals to serve as intelligence operatives, with nationals of Turkey, the Arab region, Afghanistan, and Pakistan comprising the diverse recruitment pool. Furthermore, some recruits are said to be redeployed to Iran, where they are assimilated into units affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Turkish authorities have acknowledged the presence of limited clandestine activity, with the recent detention of six suspects in January on espionage charges linked to the surveillance of sensitive locations. Nevertheless, analysts consulted for this report have suggested that Turkey has yet to demonstrate a cohesive or assertive response to these developments, fuelling skepticism regarding Iran’s capacity to conduct extensive and organized operations within the country.
Regional media outlets, including IRNA, have revealed Iranian undertakings to foster “resistance media” networks among Turkish activists. This effort is seen as part of a more comprehensive strategy that focuses on exerting influence through targeted propaganda rather than immediate military intervention.
While assessments vary regarding the scale and efficacy of Iran’s covert operations in Turkey, available intelligence suggests that Tehran is steadily augmenting its soft power presence in the country. As relations between Iran and regional stakeholders remain contentious, these clandestine developments are certain to contribute to ongoing regional tensions.
Turkish policymakers face an uphill task in counteracting the spread of Iranian influence within the country’s borders. This scenario underscores the significance of cooperation between Ankara and Washington in preventing and mitigating future security threats posed by Iran’s covert networks.