Erdogan talks nukes in Iran

TEHRAN, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Tehran leading a high-ranking delegation to discuss diplomatic and economic affairs.

Erdogan arrived in Tehran Monday to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and other officials.

The Turkish premier meets Tuesday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to discuss a range of international issues, including Iran's nuclear program, state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

Iran came forward Tuesday with a series of concessions to a Western-backed plan that would allow Iran to continue nuclear research in a way that would inhibit weapons development.

Erdogan, for his part, told London's The Guardian newspaper recently that Western powers were duplicitous in their negotiations with Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

"So although Iran doesn't have a weapon, those who say Iran shouldn't have them are those countries which do," Erdogan complained.

Apart from the nuclear issues, Erdogan spoke with Iranian officials regarding developments at Iran's South Pars gas field, the largest in the world.

Erdogan is scheduled for a trip to Washington following his visit to Iran.