Turkey opposed to new sanctions on Iran

In a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday, US President Barack Obama called Turkey an "important player" in persuading Iran to engage in dialogue over its nuclear program.
After the meeting, Erdogan said Turkey will not support any proposal to impose new sanctions on Iran at the United Nations Security Council.

The comments showed that Obama failed to persuade the Turkish prime minister of the need for sanctions against Iran.

Erdogan said Turkey wants to see a diplomatic solution to Tehran's nuclear standoff with the West.

In addition, Turkish PM also offered to mediate in negotiations between Tehran and the West.

These developments come ten days after the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors approved a resolution against Iran.

Erdogan criticized the resolution against Iran, calling it very rushed. "I believe that was a very rushed process because certain steps could be taken in a more consultative fashion," Erdogan said.

"As long as Iran is willing to increase its nuclear capability for civilian purposes or peaceful purposes, we will never have a negative approach towards this demand," he added.
Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and is necessary to generate energy for its growing population.

Erdogan previously accused the West of treating Iran unfairly by demanding that it halt its nuclear programs, while not demanding the same of nuclear armed countries in the region, an allusion to "Israel".