Story Summary

January 06, 2014 12:09 AM
By Sinan Ulgen
The Daily Star

Following Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s recent visit to the Gulf states, the Islamic Republic’s charm offensive is set to continue with President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to Turkey early next month. Unlike the majority of Iran’s Arab neighbors, Turkey unequivocally welcomed the interim nuclear deal concluded last month between Iran and the P5+1 (the United Nations Security Council’s five permanent members and Germany).

From Turkey’s perspective, the nuclear deal, if successfully implemented and made permanent after six months, is set to eliminate a major security concern.

But Turkey also doesn’t want a military intervention in Iran led by the United States.

Even at the peak of diplomatic tensions with Iran, Turkey refrained from adopting America’s more maximalist position, which challenged the validity of Iran’s right to enrich uranium.

There are also significant economic considerations for Turkey, which relies on Iran for a substantial share of its energy imports.

Read more: http://dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2014/Jan-06/243197-turkey-can-bridge-the-mideasts-divide.ashx#ixzz2pblN2LTa
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)