.jpg)
2 hours ago
3
Article content
(Bloomberg) — Turkey would consider joining a regional nuclear arms race over concerns about Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said late Monday.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Ankara does not wish to disrupt the tenuous balance of power in the region, which could trigger nuclear competition, Fidan said in an interview with CNN Turk. But “we may inevitably have to join the same race,” he added, in response to whether Turkey would see Iran’s development of nuclear weapons as a threat.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Fidan’s remarks come amid US-led efforts to prevent Iran from developing weapons-grade nuclear capability. Turkey has accused Israel of possessing such an arsenal and claimed that it undermines regional stability — an allegation Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
The development of nuclear weapons would “need to be considered within the bigger picture,” Fidan said, calling it a “high-level strategic issue.” The country has no nuclear arms program and is party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. It is currently building the first of three nuclear power plants for energy generation.
Article content
Turkey has hosted dozens of US nuclear weapons at its Incirlik air base in Adana province, about 70 miles from the Syrian border, though it has not been allowed to carry or deploy them.
Article content
Referring to talks between the US and Iran that took place in Oman on Friday and are scheduled to continue this week, Fidan said that air strikes “would not bring about regime change” in Tehran and added that the Middle East cannot withstand another war.
Article content
“They are not making an atomic bomb,” Fidan said of Iran. He predicted that doubts over Washington’s appetite to fulfill its security commitments to allies could spur a future nuclear weapons race across Asia and Europe.
Article content
Advertisement 1
English (US)