Ankara, Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is working to prevent US-Iran tensions from tipping the Middle East into a new conflict amid disagreements over the scope of negotiations with Tehran.
Erdogan comments after Egypt visit
Erdogan spoke to reporters on a return flight from a visit to Egypt, according to a transcript shared by his office on Thursday. He said talks at the level of the US and Iranian leadership would be helpful after lower-level nuclear negotiations due in Oman on Friday.
Dispute over agenda and risk of escalation
Iran and the United States remain at odds over Washington’s insistence that negotiations include Tehran’s missile arsenal and Iran’s vow to discuss only its nuclear program. The standoff has included mutual threats of airstrikes.
Differences over the scope and venue for the discussions have raised doubts about whether a meeting would take place, leaving open the possibility that US President Donald Trump could carry out a threat to strike Iran.
Trump remarks and change of venue
Asked on Wednesday whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be worried, Trump told NBC News: “I would say he should be very worried. Yeah, he should be.” He added that “they’re negotiating with us” but did not elaborate.
After Trump’s comments, US and Iranian officials said the two sides agreed to shift the talks’ location to Muscat after initially accepting Istanbul. There was no indication they had found common ground on the agenda.
Regional tensions
Tensions are high across the region as the US builds up forces there, and regional players seek to avoid a military confrontation that many fear could escalate into a wider war.
What do you think would help reduce the risk of escalation between the United States and Iran?
