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Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stood up for Iran's nuclear program, saying it is "solely for peaceful purposes".
In an interview with the BBC, Erdogan trashed Western claims that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said: "It's only rumors that Iran is making nuclear weapons."
The Turkish prime minister condemned nuclear powers for following a double standard path over Iran's nuclear activities and depriving Iran of its "most natural right."
He said: "Israel possesses nuclear weapons. Why aren't other countries warning Israel to dispose of its nuclear weapons but they're doing the same to Iran?"
The Turkish premier said he was certain Iran has no intention of developing nukes and seeks a nuclear program for civilian goals.
At a press conference with Brown at Downing Street later, Erdogan said the only way to break the logjam over Iran's nuclear program is to pursue a diplomatic path.
He rejected effectiveness of imposing a new raft of sanctions, saying the move has failed to yield any results in the past.
The premier said he would like to see "a world without nuclear weapons" and advocated diplomacy over sanctions.
"We always say to all of our friends we would not like to see any nuclear weapons in our region," he said. "We believe in the importance of a diplomatic solution."
Iran has defied three rafts of Western-sponsored UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear standoff. Tehran has stressed its activities are for generating electricity for a growing population.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stood up for Iran's nuclear program, saying it is "solely for peaceful purposes".
In an interview with the BBC, Erdogan trashed Western claims that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said: "It's only rumors that Iran is making nuclear weapons."
The Turkish prime minister condemned nuclear powers for following a double standard path over Iran's nuclear activities and depriving Iran of its "most natural right."
He said: "Israel possesses nuclear weapons. Why aren't other countries warning Israel to dispose of its nuclear weapons but they're doing the same to Iran?"
The Turkish premier said he was certain Iran has no intention of developing nukes and seeks a nuclear program for civilian goals.
At a press conference with Brown at Downing Street later, Erdogan said the only way to break the logjam over Iran's nuclear program is to pursue a diplomatic path.
He rejected effectiveness of imposing a new raft of sanctions, saying the move has failed to yield any results in the past.
The premier said he would like to see "a world without nuclear weapons" and advocated diplomacy over sanctions.
"We always say to all of our friends we would not like to see any nuclear weapons in our region," he said. "We believe in the importance of a diplomatic solution."
Iran has defied three rafts of Western-sponsored UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear standoff. Tehran has stressed its activities are for generating electricity for a growing population.
