US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone’s response to the claims in Turkish media, was found sufficient by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Following the anti-graft operations in Istanbul last week, Turkish media claimed the US ambassador in Turkey held a meeting with some European Union ambassadors. The media also claimed that during this meeting Ricciardone said, "We wanted them to terminate (state-run lender) Halkbank's transactions with Iran. They didn't listen to us. Now you're watching the fall of an empire."
Ricciardone, announced Sunday via the US Embassy's official Twitter account that his country has nothing to do with the anti-graft operation. "No one should jeopardize US-Turkey relations with baseless allegations," Ricciardone added.
According to the diplomatic sources, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there is no need for calling Ricciardione to the ministry, as Ricciardone’s statements are found sufficient in this regard.
The Istanbul-based anti-graft operation that was launched on Tuesday has led to the arrest of two dozens of high-profile bureaucrats, politicians and businessmen, including the sons of two key cabinet ministers and the head of state-owned lender Halkbank.
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