Erdogan Talks To Iran's President Nuclear Negotiations Will Be Beneficial To Tehran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan/PHOTO via Instagram @rterdogan

JAKARTA - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian nuclear negotiations would be beneficial for Tehran. Ankara will maintain her support for Iran in this regard.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, Erdogan also said cooperation between neighboring countries, especially in the energy sector, benefited both sides, the presidential statement said.

Iran previously regretted Britain, France and Germany's decision to launch a process to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran's nuclear program, but still opened up opportunities for dialogue.

The third step in a country known as E3 or the European Trio is part of the 2015 Nuclear Deal, it is feared that it will trigger tensions with Iran.

A senior Iranian official accused the three European powers of damaging diplomacy, pledging Tehran would not bow to pressure over the E3's move to launch the so-called "mechanismsnapback".

The decision was considered "illegal and regrettable", but still opened up opportunities for dialogue.

"This move is an act that opposes diplomacy, not an opportunity for it. Diplomacy with Europe will continue," the official said.

"Iran will not give up under pressure," he added.

Iran had previously warned of a "hard response" if sanctions were reinstated, and the Iranian official said it was reviewing its options, including withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.