Iran not interested in Turkey or any third party to mediate nuclear dispute

TEHRAN (WJC)–A spokesman of Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said there would be no need for third-party mediation in the nuclear dispute, thus rejecting reports of Turkey assuming such a role. “The Iranian stance in the nuclear dispute is quite clear and there is no need for a third party to mediate,” Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters here.

“Many countries have an interest in mediating, including Turkey, but Iran’s need for civil nuclear technology is clear and its stance irrevocable. Therefore, there is no need to clarify it again through a mediator,” Mehmanparast said. He added that world powers were moving in the “wrong direction” by putting political pressure on Iran to revise its stance. “But we are still ready to continue negotiations with the world powers on our proposal package … yet it seems that the world powers are not.”

He added that talks with the United States were not on Tehran’s political agenda but Iran was still prepared to talk with Washington as part of the Five plus One group, which includes the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany.

At a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Monday, US President Barack Obama called Turkey an “important player” in keeping Iran’s nuclear energy program peaceful, despite Erdogan’s recent criticism of the West’s approach towards Tehran. “We have no problem with Turkey reaching out to Iran, talking to Iran,” Obama told reporters. “But it is important to us that the message be the same.”

Erdogan stressed the role of diplomacy in persuading Iran to give up any nuclear ambitions it might have and made clear that Turkey does not see the need yet for new sanctions. He repeated his criticism of “rushing” talks with Iran: “I believe that was a very rushed process because certain steps could be taken in a more consultative fashion.”

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress