USA Turkish Times - US hopes Turkey will discourage Iran on nuclear program

US hopes Turkey will discourage Iran on nuclear program

The U.S. administration is hoping Turkey will encourage Tehran to take seriously calls from the international community and end its nuclear program. U.S. State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack, at a daily press briefing on late Monday, expressed hope about Turkey's role in influencing Iran's nuclear plans, saying, "We would hope as a neighbor of Iran that Turkey would encourage the Iranian regime to take seriously the requirements of the international system and make clear to them that there is another pathway for them.

"There is another pathway where they can realize discussions on a whole host of subjects about which they have expressed an interest to have discussions and negotiations. We can do that. We can do that within the P-5+1 (UN Security Council's 5 permanent members plus Germany) mechanism that has been laid out for them and it's a very simple entry requirement. It's been laid out for them. It's not just ours. It's the same requirement as the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Governors has laid out, that the P-5+1 has laid out. So we would encourage that message to be sent to the Iranians."

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reiterated yesterday his country would never again suspend uranium enrichment -- a move the U.S says is essential for Washington-Tehran negotiations.

The UN Security Council's Big Five members plus Germany began talks on Monday on taking further steps against Iran after the IAEA reported that Iran had ignored demands for a suspension and instead had expanded its enrichment program.

In December the Security Council imposed limited sanctions on Iran.

The New Anatolian / Washington

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