Iran’s Zarif Discusses Syria with Top Officials


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke with several foreign officials and international figures, including the UN chief, about US strikes in Syria and the need for the formation of a fact-finding committee on a chemical attack on the town of Khan Shaykhun.

Foreign Minister Zarif’s diplomatic contacts with foreign officials have heightened in recent days following the US missile attack against a Syrian airbase near the city of Homs.

On Monday evening, the senior Iranian diplomat had separate telephone conversations with the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, and with the foreign ministers of Italy, Kuwait and Turkey on the latest developments in Syria.

In the talks, Foreign Minister Zarif reiterated the call for the formation of a fact-finding committee to shed light on a suspicious chemical attack that the US is blaming on the Damascus government.

Earlier in the day, Zarif had made contacts with the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, as well as his Russian, Omani, Syrian and Algerian counterparts to discuss the Syrian issue.

On Friday, the US launched a missile attack on the Syrian government’s Shayrat Airfield near Homs with 59 Tomahawk missiles.