Washington briefing: Turkey seeks mediator role between Iran, U.S.

by Emil Sanamyan

Published: Thursday October 22, 2009

Talks over Iran's nuclear program have been underway in Vienna since Oct. 19. AP photo

Washington - President Barack Obama has invited Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Washington, the Turkish leader revealed on October 16.

Mr. Erdogan told journalists that the visit might take place on October 29, immediately after his visit to Iran, Hurriyet Daily News reported, indicating a possible Turkish role in facilitating the on-again off-again talks over Iran's nuclear program.

Under the Bush administration, the United States refused to negotiate with Iran directly, but it joined European states in talks over Iran's uranium enrichment earlier this year.

The Turkish leader had previously expressed interest in mediating between Iran and the United States, although neither country has commented on the offers. And a week after Mr. Erdogan's comments, it did not appear that the date of his visit to the United States was finalized.

In what appears to be a long-term strategy intended to raise its international profile, Turkey has become engaged in mediation missions around the Middle East, including among Iraqi and Lebanese factions, as well as between Iraq and Syria and Syria and Israel.

As part of the effort, Turkey has also increasingly distanced itself from U.S. policies, while harshly criticizing Israel and curtailing ties with the Jewish state.