ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister today called for the immediate resumption of talks between Iran and major world powers to end the standoff over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

Ahmet Davutoglu said at a joint news conference with Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi that Turkey was ready to host and “make any other kind of contribution” to talks between Iran and six countries leading negotiations — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

“What is important is for these negotiations to start immediately and for the tensions to be reduced,” Davutoglu said. “It is important that the hurdles in front of the talks are removed.”

Salehi, who is ending a twoday visit to Turkey, said the six powers should enter talks without “excuses.”

“If there are excuses, it is a sign that they oppose and do not approve of the negotiations,” he said.

Iranian officials have said they favor Turkey as a venue for further talks with the six powers.

The effort to revive the nuclear talks come as the U.S. and Europe have moved to step up sanctions against Iran.