This thesis examines Iranian and Turkish role conceptions in the Middle East, using role theory as its analytical tool. More specifically, the research aims to describe how Islamic identity is used in the analyzed states' conceptions of themselves in the Middle East. The theoretical framework is built upon an eclectic combination of realism and social constructivism as the basis of interpretation. The main theoretical argument guiding the research is that both Iran and Turkey are striving for influence and power in the region, and that much of their interests in the region are shaped by their Islamic identity. The study is a multiple case study, comparing the main principles within the cases to each other to highlight their differences and similarities. The analysis is conducted as a qualitative content analysis of speeches, interviews and papers by central actors in Iranian and Turkish foreign policy within the time frame of 2013 to 2016. The results of the analysis pointed towards that Iran primarily uses its Islamic identity to call for Islamic revolutionism in the region, thus legitimizing both its own domestic leadership as well as a central role in the region acting as a role model. For Turkey, their Islamic identity was mainly used to justify a larger role in the region on the basis of their Ottoman heritage. One of the central conclusions has thus been that both case states uses their Islamic identity for strategic purposes, although based on different ideological foundations and prescriptions.