‘Iran attack to be huge mistake by West’

Turkish Ambassador to US Namik Tan says any military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran would be a huge mistake by the US, Israel and Europe.

In an interview with Today’s Zaman on December 8, 2012, Tan reiterated Turkey’s position against any military action in the region including against Syria and Iran, and called for more diplomatic efforts to resolve the issues pertaining to Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

“We are strongly opposed to a military option,” Tan said, adding that any military action against Iran would have devastating consequences for the region.

“I personally believe the only solution is a diplomatic one,” the Turkish diplomat noted. “A military option is out of question as it would bring huge devastation to the region and would hurt everyone.”

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran argues that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Tan also noted that Ankara “could play a facilitating role” in resolving the Western dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program and “that there are still many steps to be taken in the diplomatic field.”

Earlier in January, Turkish President Abdullah Gul also urged “a more comprehensive solution and approach” to the issue over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

He also stressed the importance of eradicating nuclear weapons in the region, saying the atomic disarmament of Israel would help “solve the fundamental problems in the Middle East that affect the whole world.”

Israel, the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, is widely known to have between 200 and 400 nuclear warheads.