Tillerson: Iran and Russia cannot provide Turkey with benefits Western world can

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who spoke at a panel held at the Wilson Center, a Washington-based think tank expressed criticism and worries about Iran on the question of US-European relations and also conveyed a message to Turkey. US State Secretary Tillerson asked Turkey to reconsider its relations with Iran and said “Iran and Russia cannot provide the Turkish people with the economic and political advantages they can benefit from by belonging to the Western nations community”. Tillerson’s statement which sounded more like a threat also said “As our Nato ally we want Turkey to prioritize the common defense of its allies”.

Tillerson, who invited his European partners to stand by the United States against Iran’s “malice attitude”, said Tehran’s totalitarian policies directed towards “suppressing religious, political and individual freedoms” were contrary to the principles of the Western world.

The secretary also said “We are aware that Turkey cannot ignore Iran due to its geographical proximity and cultural ties at the crossroads of Europe in the region. Still, we want Turkey to keep the common defense of its allies in the foreground. Iran and Russia cannot provide the Turkish people with the economic and political benefits that they can provide by belonging to the Western nations community.