“President Barack Obama failed to win immediate new pledges of support from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday for U.S. goals toward Iran and Afghanistan,” Los Angeles Times daily reports.

“At a news conference after his White House meeting, Erdogan stressed the role of diplomacy in persuading Iran to give up any nuclear ambitions it might have and made clear that Turkey does not see the need yet for new sanctions,” the source reads.

“Obama has signaled that he may soon seek new sanctions from the United Nations against Iran for its defiance against revealing the extent of its nuclear program. Turkey, is important for U.S. goals as an influential neighbor of Iran and a current nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council,” the daily informs.

“On Afghanistan, the United States would like to see Turkish troops join NATO combat missions, but Erdogan has resisted fulfilling that request, which would be unpopular in Turkey” the source outlines.

“Turkey's participation in the Afghan mission carries enormous symbolic importance because it is the only Muslim country working with U.S. and other NATO troops to beat back the resurgent Taliban and deny al-Qaida a sanctuary. Turkey also is NATO's only predominantly Muslim member. Before leaving for Washington, Erdogan said Turkey already has contributed the &‘necessary number’ of troops in Afghanistan,” the daily says.

L.A.