[Financial Times-UK] Andrew Ward and Alex Barker - The U.S. on Wednesday warned Turkey not to strike an energy deal with Iran that undermined diplomatic efforts to halt Tehran's nuclear program, on the eve of a visit to Ankara by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The State Department said: "Such a deal by Turkey with Iran would send the wrong message at a time when the Iranian regime has repeatedly failed to comply with its UN Security Council and IAEA obligations." Turkey, which is reliant on energy imports, is keen to diversify its supplies and establish itself as a hub between Europe and the energy-rich nations to its east. Washington and some EU states have expressed deep concern over its energy ties to Iran, which pave the way for Iranian and Turkmen gas to be transported to Europe via the planned Nabuko pipeline from eastern Turkey to Austria.
2008-08-15 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive