'Turkey is opposed to new sanctions on Iran'

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to support calls for new sanctions against Iran, saying they would be ineffective.

After a meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday, 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.

Erdogan 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.

Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and is necessary to generate energy for its growing population.