Turkey's former energy minister, Taner Yildiz, speaks in Ankara in 2013 after Turkey refused to lower its oil imports from Iran despite U.S. sanctions. The Turkish government has said it will try to increase its trade with Iran despite new U.S. sanctions on Tehran set to take effect in November.
Editor's Note: This assessment is part of a series of analyses supporting Stratfor's upcoming 2018 Fourth-Quarter Forecast. These assessments are designed to provide more context and in-depth analysis on key developments to watch in the coming quarter. The U.S. government is rolling out its toughest sanctions yet on Iran to try to pressure Tehran to change its behavior. In the process, it's forcing the countries that do business with the Islamic republic to make a tough choice: Fall in line with the United States or continue trading with Iran. The dilemma is especially difficult for Turkey, which, despite centurieslong rivalry with Iran , depends on the country for much of its oil and natural gas needs.
