Deputy FM Denies Media Reports on Iran’s Stance on Assad’s Future
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian foreign ministry official on Friday categorically denied earlier media reports about a change in Iran’s stance on supporting Syrian legitimate President Bashar Assad.
Speaking on Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian strongly rejected reports that Iran has agreed to Assad's stepping down from power within six months.
The media reports came as foreign ministers from nearly 20 countries gathered in Vienna on Friday for talks on the Syrian war.
US Secretary of State John Kerry was joined by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and their counterparts from a host of other countries to address the conflict, which focused on the future of the Syria.
The gap appeared to be narrowing between two key blocs—Assad allies Russia and Iran and the US, Saudi Arabia and Western allies who support militants in Syria, while there were also talks of a lack of breakthrough.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on the eve of the meeting that he wasn't entering the talks bound by any preconditions.