US urges Turkey to toe line on anti-Iran sanctions

The United States has urged the Turkish government to support its drive for wider sanctions against Iran over the country's nuclear program.

According to the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Philip Gordon, Ankara must show it is "on board" with the move towards new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Speaking earlier today, the US official further pointed out that Turkey could face consequences if it ignored the US demands.

"Many would be disappointed if Turkey is an exception to an international consensus on dealing with Iran," he threatened.

"Turkey wants to be an important, responsible actor on the international scene. And I think joining the majority of the Security Council in doing this would reinforce that image," he went on to say.

"Not doing so would not contribute to that positive outcome ... I think that's a consequence," he further warned.

The US has in recent months stepped up its efforts to impose new sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program, which it says is solely civilian.

Despite what the US official claims, there is no international consensus for expanding the existing sanctions regime against Iran, with permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member China and temporary members Brazil and Turkey already stating their oppositions to isolating Iran.

The US and a number of its Western allies have pushed through three rounds of UNSC sanctions against Iran over its refusal to bow to pressure to halt its nuclear program and are currently lobbying for a fourth.

Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, says its nuclear work is directed at the civilian applications of the technology.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=121047§ionid=351020104.