"... The Erdogan government has been expanding trade with Iran, which supplies about 20 percent of Turkey’s natural gas. He visited Tehran in October and said that Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. suspects is a cover for weapons development, is “peaceful.”
“We as Turkey stand ready to do whatever we can to ensure a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue in our region,” Erdogan said yesterday, adding that the Turkish government was prepared to act as a mediator.
Turkey, along with the U.S., must try to “achieve global peace, because this is not the time to make enemies, this is the time to make friends,” Erdogan said.
At a press conference after the Obama meeting, Erdogan expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of sanctions on Iran, saying existing restrictions are being undermined.
An administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. wanted clarification on the Turkish position after Erdogan praised what he called Iran’s positive approach to nuclear talks with the U.S. that collapsed after their Oct. 1 start.....
Sabah newspaper reported before the White House meeting that Erdogan said he would ask Obama to give more time for talks with Iran before seeking sanctions at the UN Security Council, where Turkey currently holds a seat....
If there were a Security Council vote on Iran sanctions, Turkey might abstain, Ilter Turkmen, a former Turkish foreign minister, said in a telephone interview. “If China and Russia go along with the U.S. and vote for more sanctions then it could put us in an awkward position,” he said...."
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