Referring to the report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last week expressing fears that Tehran could be working on a nuclear warhead, the daily writes that Turkey remains unconvinced about imposing more sanctions and that its relations with the US are strained.
The daily notes Turkey’s significance as the country is presently on the UN Security Council and is a NATO member and quotes US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg as saying, “Turkey has as much reason to be concerned about the prospect of a nuclear Iran as anybody.”
Despite its wish for a nuclear-free region, Ankara also opposes any sanctions against Iran, claiming that it will only make things worse. Reminded of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call for Iran to be treated as a “friend,” Steinberg said labeling Iran wasn’t necessary. “We need them to work with us to make sure that Iran doesn’t become nuclear weapons-capable. The two allies need to find a common tactical approach to try to achieve that objective,” Steinberg said.
