It is not only Turkey, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, who believes that sanctions “will not serve the desired goal,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Burak Özügergin told reporters on Wednesday at a regular press conference, when reminded of last week’s remarks by a senior US official who said Turkey must show it is “on board” with the move toward new sanctions.
“Many would be disappointed if Turkey is an exception to an international consensus on dealing with Iran,” Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon said last week. “There is still an opportunity ahead of us and we believe that this opportunity should be used effectively. Not less, but more diplomacy (is needed),” Özügergin said.
When asked whether an offer on the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) was still on the table according to Ankara, Özügergin said, “As long as you don’t take something off the table, then it is on the table.”
Russia, China, the UK, France, Germany and the US, collectively known as the P5+1, had offered to enrich Iranian uranium supplies to 20 percent for use in the TRR through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The deal would have helped to allay international concerns that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons under the cover of its civilian program while providing the country with fuel for its nuclear reactors.
“We attach importance to the realization of this offer for ensuring progress along the process,” Özügergin added.
