The US State Department reiterated its warning that the countries including Turkey had better not make new investments in the field of energy in Iran.
Tom Casey, spokesman of the US State Department, stated that Tehran should be persuaded about its nuclear activities by its partners including Turkey and that Iran should obey the decisions made by the UN Security Council.
Casey, “We believe that this effort should be supported by all countries in order for diplomacy to be effective and therefore Turkey is not an exception for this obligation” said.
Casey also, in this framework, repeated the American opinion that time was not suitable for new investments in Iran in petroleum and natural gas sectors. He expressed that Turkey signed a precontract regarding cooperation in natural gas field in July, but this was not a final contract yet and accordingly an important and new investment could not be mentioned at this stage.
Energy agreement between Iran and Turkey
A memorandum of understanding had been signed in 13 July in Ankara between Turkey and Iran. With this agreement document, Iranian natural gas was said to be carried through Turkey to the Europe. This agreement forsees that 30 billion meter/cube natural gas to come from Iran and Turkmenistan next year will be exported to the Europe.
According to this agreement, Turkey will, without attending the tender, be granted the operation right of three natural gas fields in Southern Pars Basin. However making a 3.5 billion-Dollar investment is required for this.
The most powerful reaction to this agreement comes from the US. The US, rejecting cooperation due to that Iran continues its nuclear activities, claims Iran is ot a reliable source.
Sean McCormack, another spokesman of the US State Department, “We think time is not good for an investment in Iran in petroleum and gas fields” had said before.
On the other hand, Turkey replies those comments, saying that ‘What is important is Turkey’s interests.’
France also toughens its manner towards Iran
France, in Sarkozy’s time, is approaching the US government more. Sarkozy has adopted Washington’s attitude about Iran, too. He wanted the sanctions on Iran have gotten stiffer.
Sarkozy, to be attending the meetings of the UN General Assembly in New York, made statements about Iran before his visits. Stating that he would mention Iranian crisis at the meetings, Sarkozy said he would try hard to toughen the sanctions imposed on Iran.
As a result, at the end of last week, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, “We should be ready for the worst situation - a war…” said relating nuclear crisis in Iran and wanted some French companies not to submit bids for Iran.
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