Turkey has strongly condemned Iranian media reports alleging that Turkey apologized to Iran over a recent criticism by Turkish prime minister as Iran kept suggesting different venues for a new round of nuclear talks, Today's Zaman reported.
A statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry denied media reports in Iran claiming that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu apologized to Iran in his earlier telephone conversation with Saeed Jalili, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, over Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent criticism of Iran.
Erdogan last week slammed Iran after Tehran proposed different venues for the nuclear talks with world powers, instead of İstanbul, saying Tehran is not being honest.
He said Iran's proposal of a new venue was an untenable demand that would sabotage the planned talks. "[Iran] needs to be honest," Erdogan said, adding that Iran is constantly losing prestige in the world by not being honest. The Turkish prime minister added that Iran's language is not diplomatic and that speaking in such a way does not fit his idea of ethics.
The statement said the allegations of apology are absolutely not true, strongly condemning the media report.
Davutoglu also expressed his concerns to Jalili on Monday. Jalili promised to immediately investigate the matter.