Turkey criticizes UNSC over Iran sanctions

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday lashed out at the UN Security Council over imposing new sanctions on Iran in connection with its nuclear program.

Erdogan said that Turkey voted "no" to UN Security Council's sanctions against Iran, because Turkey, Iran and Brazil signed a nuclear swap deal. "If we had not said 'no' to sanctions, we would have denied ourselves. It would be a dishonor. We would not want to participate in such a dishonor because history will not forgive us," he said.

The Turkish premier made the statements at the 5th meeting of the Turkish-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul.

Referring to last month's uranium swap agreement signed between Iran, Turkey and Brazil, Erdogan said Turkey had to "stand behind its signature," saying that Turkey and Brazil had taken the initiative to solve the Iranian nuclear issue.

"We have argued from the beginning that the issue must be solved by diplomacy," he added.

Erdogan said the swap agreement was a diplomatic breakthrough and criticized the Security Council for scuttling the deal.

Turkey contacted all sides involved, including the UN Security Council permanent members, after the agreement was signed, and they all admired what had been accomplished and declared it a diplomatic victory.

"But what did they say yesterday?" Erdogan wondered, warning that Iran was not even given a chance to comply with the swap deal. Such step should not be taken unless Iran doesn't comply, he said.

Erdogan also said that his country would continue its efforts to solve the issue through diplomacy. "We are putting forth our clear and bold attitude in regard to global issues and humane matters without making racial, regional or geographical discrimination. We are exerting great efforts for peace, stability and prosperity in Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East," he said.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution to impose a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program.

Source: Xinhua