Context
Iran has slammed U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns’ visit to Turkey, saying it aims to harm relations between Turkey and Iran. He said their relation is strong enough to stand US pressure.
Burns was to hold talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. The meeting coincides with the growing concerns over an armed conflict between Iran and the US in the Strait of Hormuz, after Washington imposed strong sanctions on Iran’s oil exports. These sanctions would penalize any foreign financial institution that does business with Iran’s central bank.
The US measures could affect Turkey’s energy trade. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani is expected to visit Turkey on Jan. 11, and the Iranian foreign minister will attend the joint economic commission meetings, to be held on Jan. 18 in Turkey.