WASHINGTON — The United States has suggested that Turkey could come
under sanctions for its energy cooperation with Iran.
The State Department has criticized Turkey for its agreement for natural
gas cooperation with Teheran. A senior official pointed out that Congress
was working on legislation that would sanction Ankara or others that help
develop Iran's energy sector, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The U.S. government's policy is that countries should not be
stimulating their companies to be involved in oil and gas investment in
Iran," Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said.
Burns said the Bush administration has stressed to U.S. allies that
sanctions on Iran would be strengthened. Over the last two months, Turkey
has agreed to develop three southern Iranian gas fields and establish three
gas-operated energy plants.
=
