Turkish intelligence played a role securing U.S.-Iran ceasefire, media says

ANKARA, April 8 (Reuters) - ‌Turkey’s intelligence ​agency ​played a key role in diplomatic efforts leading to a two-week ceasefire between the United ‌States and Iran, Turkish media reported on Wednesday, ⁠citing security sources.

Washington agreed late on Tuesday to the truce, ‌brokered by Pakistan, in ‌a conflict that has spread across the Middle East and disrupted global energy supplies.

State news channel TRT ​said Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) was among the few actors able to maintain direct contact with ⁠both Western countries and neighbouring Iran, including its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

It said ​MIT had worked to keep communication channels open, prevent misunderstandings, relay messages aimed at ​de-escalation, presented proposals to help ‌avoid further escalation and coordinated with multiple intelligence services.

MIT was not immediately reachable for ⁠comment on the report.

While Pakistan led mediation efforts, Tehran has said that Turkey had played a role after having ⁠initially sought to host direct U.S.-Iran talks before the war began ​in late February. A Turkey-based diplomat separately said Ankara played a supportive role in the recent weeks of talks.

Turkish President ‌Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is a NATO ally of the U.S. and shares a ‌border with Iran, on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire, called ⁠for its full implementation, ‌and warned against ​any provocations or acts of sabotage.

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Gareth ‌Jones)

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