Turkey is most unlikely to become a mediator in the Iranian nuclear program between Iran and the West, as Teheran is conducting direct negotiations with the United States and Europe, Sevak Sarukhanyan, an expert for the Noravank Fund, told NEWS.am, as he commented on Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s visit to Iran.

“Turkey may have an opportunity to assume a nominal role of mediator when the Teheran-Washington negotiations near completion – nothing more than that,” the expert said. As regards Ankara’s aspiration to act as mediator between Iran and the West, the expert explained that Turkey’s desire is to act as a bridge between the Islamic world, Europe and the United States. “Turkey is thus trying to enhance its geopolitical role. Moreover, Ankara has great energy interests in Iran. Seeking mediation between Teheran and Washington, Turkey wants to show its ‘kind attitude’ to Iran,” Sarukhanyan said. He pointed out that neither Teheran nor Washington is interested in Ankara’s greater geopolitical role, as Turkey has recently been implementing its own policy, without giving too much consideration to the U.S. opinion.

T.P.