Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a news conference in Istanbul, Aug. 14, 2008. Ahmadinejad's just-ended visit to Turkey aims to breach a diplomatic blockade set up by the United States and other Western nations, analysts said. (Xinhua Photo/AFP) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's just-ended visit to Turkey, a NATO ally that is also aspiring to the membership in the European Union (EU), aims to breach a diplomatic blockade set up by the United States and other Western nations, analysts said.

    The two-day working visit, which ended on Friday, came amid escalating tensions between Tehran and the West due to Iran's controversial nuclear program.

    Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department said six major powers had agreed to consider new sanctions against Iran after Tehran failed to give a clear answer to their package of incentives, aimed at requiring the country to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities in exchange for political and economic benefits.

    The U.S. Treasury announced Tuesday that sanctions would be imposed on five Iranian entities for their alleged links to Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

    As a result, U.S. citizens are prohibited from doing business with these blacklisted entities and any of their possible assets in the United States will be frozen, the Treasury said in a statement.

    "Iran hopes to make a good use of its advantages in geopolitics, energy and religion to expand relations with all sides and build up anti-U.S. strength," said Zhao Qinghai, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS).

    Ahmadinejad, who was elected in 2005, had constantly conveyed his desire to Ankara for paying a visit to Turkey. However, Ankara did not respond positively until Abdullah Gul was elected to the presidency last year.

    During his visit, Ahmadinejad and Gul witnessed the public signing of a series of cooperation deals.

    The two countries also issued a joint statement stressing their determination for further cooperation in the energy field.

    Turkey and Iran would cooperate in fighting terrorism and drug trafficking, Ahmadinejad told a joint press conference with Gul following their talks.

    He said that as two large and strong countries in the region, Iran and Turkey have great influence on regional and international affairs.

    The Iranian president added that his country and Turkey would celebrate 2009 as a joint culture year, which would help enhance better understanding of each other's culture and civilization.

    For his part, Gul said the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in South Caucasus was a priority among Turkish foreign policy targets.

    However, the two neighbors failed to conclude expected energy accords, which were strongly opposed by Washington.

    Last July, Iran and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing the Turkish Petroleum Corporation to pump 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the giant South Pars gas field.

    The agreement would also allow the transport of Iranian natural gas to Europe as well as the transfer of Turkmen natural gas to Europe via Iran and Turkey.

    Turkey has recently improved ties with Iran and argues that its close dialog both with the West and Tehran could be an asset for a peaceful resolution of the international standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

    Nevertheless, analysts said Turkey, which is completely dependent on energy imports to quench its increasing thirst for oil and gas, may have played up the nuclear issue to deflect criticism over inviting Ahmadinejad, whose country is currently Turkey's second biggest supplier of gas after Russia.

    The failure to forge a deal to boost Iran's gas supplies to Turkey was a blow to Tehran's diplomatic efforts to avoid international isolation, they said.

    "Iran's diplomatic efforts have achieved some results, which partly dispelled pressures from the United States," said Zhao, the CIIS research fellow.

    "But due to geopolitical, historical and religious reasons and Iran's hard-line stance on the nuclear issue, its diplomatic efforts are still confronted with challenges," he added.

    Ahmadinejad: Iraq's stability important for region

    ANKARA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Friday Iraq's territorial integrity and stability were in the interest of all countries in the region.

    Ahmadinejad, who arrived in Istanbul Thursday on a two-day working visit, made the remarks at a press conference in the Turkish largest city, reported Turkey's semi-official Anatolia news agency. Full story

    Ahmadinejad: Turkey, Iran to cooperate in combating terrorism

    ANKARA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Turkey and Iran would cooperate in fighting against terrorism and drug trafficking, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

    Ahmadinejad, who arrived in Istanbul on Thursday for a two-day working visit, made the remarks at a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul following their talks. Full story