Iran Criticizes Turkey Over Missile Defense Shield

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Associated Press (Tehran)-Iran has criticized Turkey for allowing NATO to place missile defense systems in Southeast Turkey. President Ahmadinejad of Iran states that the aim of the defense shield is to protect Israel against Iranian missiles in the event of war between Israel and Iran.
Earlier in September, Turkey agreed to host NATO’s radar system aimed at countering Iran’s ballistic missiles. However, Turkey claims the missile defense system does not target a specific country and has vowed to block the deal if NATO names Iran as a threat.
Turkey is a key Muslim voice in NATO and the missile deployment indicates improving relations with Washington since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Also, Turkey works closely with U.S troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on non-combat roles.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/04/ap/middleeast/main20115639.shtml

Reliability(9)
Comment: Turkey is strategically located between Europe and the Middle East is trying to balance its relationship between the two. Whiles Turkey’s bid to join the European Union is still pending; it has reached out to Muslim states in the Middle East in order to bolster its image and power. Also, Turkey has deep economic ties with Iran and have been critical of the West's stance against Iran's nuclear program.
Turkey has collaborated with the U.S on predator drone program against insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan while benefitting in its fight against Kurdish rebels based in Iraq. However, Turkey has built close economic ties with Iran and other Middle Eastern states to the West’s chagrin.

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