Turk diplomacy hits high speed on Iran nuclear dispute

[MetalGear]

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu says the ground for diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear impasse is firm enough to proceed and also confirms Turkey has come up with multiple proposals for a peaceful resolution of the problem. Turkish diplomacy is hitting top gear as Ankara plans to share its impressions on the Iranian talks with Washington and other Western states
Following intensive diplomatic talks with Iranian leaders in an attempt to reduce the tension over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, Turkey is focusing its efforts on relaying its impressions to Washington and other Western actors.

“There is strong ground for diplomacy and we believe we can proceed on that ground,” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told a group of reporters Thursday.

Davutoğlu said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the phone late Wednesday and also has plans to hold talks with Jim Jones, U.S. President Barack Obama’s national security adviser.

Diplomatic sources, however, said the basic review of Davutoğlu’s contacts in Tehran would be made during a planned telephone conversation between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Obama.

“The prime minister could speak with Obama. We are planning the steps to be taken. The room for maneuvering has expanded,” said Davutoğlu.

Erdoğan and Obama are scheduled to talk on either Thursday or Friday but the pair had not yet spoken as the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review went to print late Thursday.

Turk diplomacy hits high speed on Iran nuclear dispute - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Turkish officials are tightlipped over the content of the “multiple proposals” presented to Iran, with diplomatic sources saying some proposals were developed by Turkey on the spot during the Tehran visit. Other proposals, meanwhile, were drafted with the West’s full knowledge.

Tehran and world powers are locked in a stalemate over a U.N.-drafted deal that would see Iran ship its low-grade uranium to France and Russia for conversion into higher-grade uranium. Iranian officials, however, want the exchange to take place inside their borders, a condition opposed by world powers.