TURKEY WILLING TO MEDIATE

While Iran has not publicly responded to a UN suggestion that it temporarily store some of its uranium abroad, Turkey’s willingness to cooperate is a positive sign for the West. Turkey’s energy minister said he would be willing to accept low-enriched uranium from Iran for temporary storage, responding to a proposal by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “There is no problem from the side of Turkey with Iran storing its low-grade uranium in Turkey. We cannot say no,” Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told reporters. Turkey is both a NATO member and a friend to Iran, and has said it would also be willing to mediate discussions between Iran and the West over Iran’s nuclear programme.