Sanctions dangerous, says Turkish diplomat

TURKEY’S top diplomat yesterday criticised the US resumption of sanctions on Iran as unilateral, unwise and dangerous, calling for a dialogue and engagement instead.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Tokyo for talks with Japanese leaders, told reporters that Turkey opposes sanctions because they don’t achieve results.

“As a principle Turkey is against sanctions and we don’t believe that any result can be achieved through sanctions,” he said. “Cornering is not wise, isolating Iran is dangerous, and punishing the Iranian people is not fair.”

President Donald Trump’s administration’s resumption of sanctions on Iran took effect on Monday.

Turkey is a US ally and one of eight major importers of Iranian oil spared temporarily from immediate penalties. Still, Turkey has to be frank with the US about its opposition. The US “unilateral” measure affects the world, including Turkey, one-third of whose gas imports come from Iran, he said, and urged Washington to find other reasonable solutions.

“I think instead of sanctions, meaningful dialogue and engagement is much more useful and this is our principle.”

Meanwhile, Iran said yesterday it had so far been able to sell as much oil as it needed to, despite US pressure, but it urged European countries that oppose the US sanctions to do more to shield Iran. |