By Jonathan Spicer
ISTANBUL, March 25 (Reuters) – Turkey “is enjoying a task passing messages” between Iran and the U.S. to encourage de-escalation and direct negotiations, Harun Armagan, vice chair of overseas affairs for President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling occasion, informed Reuters on Wednesday.
He didn’t elaborate on the messages however mentioned they had been additionally being conveyed to Gulf nations, which have been caught up within the widening regional warfare sparked by the U.S.-Israeli assaults on Iran.
Iran’s navy on Wednesday rejected President Donald Trump’s assertion that the USA was in negotiations to finish the warfare.
NATO member Turkey had sought to mediate U.S.-Iran talks earlier than the assaults started practically a month in the past and has repeatedly known as for a right away halt to hostilities. Erdogan has mentioned it will proceed working with all its assets to safe peace.
International Minister Hakan Fidan has mentioned Ankara was conveying “pleasant” recommendation to Tehran to keep away from widening the warfare, and that he was additionally in contact with Washington to know the place the perimeters stood.
On Sunday, a Turkish diplomatic supply mentioned Fidan had spoken with U.S. officers and in addition with Iranian International Minister Abbas Araqchi, amongst others, to debate attainable steps to finish the warfare.
Three Iranian missiles sure for neighbouring Turkey have been downed by NATO air defences because the warfare started.
(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer; Enhancing by Alex Richardson)
