Turkey’s foreign minister said Iran’s nuclear dispute must be resolved through dialogue and declared that Ankara is prepared to do everything in its power to help lift what he called “unjust sanctions” imposed on Tehran.
Hakan Fidan made the comments at a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following their meeting in Tehran, according to IRNA.
Iran has been under US unilateral sanctions since 2018, when Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA). Efforts to revive the deal have collapsed, and the last round of talks was suspended after the outbreak of the 12-day war in June. In September, the three European signatories to the agreement also triggered the JCPOA’s “snapback” mechanism, seeking the reinstatement of all UN sanctions on Iran.
Fidan emphasized that “Turkey has always stood by Iran and will continue to do so,” adding that these disputes should be settled within the framework of international law and through dialogue.
“Iran should be integrated into the global economy and the broader international community,” he noted.
Araghchi also said the meeting covered a wide range of issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and the United States’ “unfair” sanctions. He added that Fidan had been briefed on the snapback process and recent developments at the UN Security Council.
Araghchi expressed confidence that cooperation between Iran and Turkey would continue to expand despite Western pressure on Tehran.
In a later interview with IRNA, Araghchi said nuclear matters are routinely discussed with Iran’s neighbors who seek to know the latest situation.
He said negotiation has always been Iran’s policy, but only one that is honorable, fair, balanced, and conducted from an equal footing.
“It is the United States that, through excessive and coercive policies, has effectively eliminated the possibility of talks at this time,” he said.
Fidan was set to meet Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and President Masoud Pezeshkian later during his visit.
Earlier in the day, Araghchi received Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Saud bin Mohammed Al-Sati, with talks centering on bilateral relations and regional developments, including the situations in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
The diplomatic contacts come amid heightened tensions, marked by strained relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and escalating Israeli provocations near Iran’s western borders, fueling speculation of a potential new round of conflict.
