PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov
As Iran steps up its military support of Syria’s President Assad — at the cost of five commanders and about 15 other troops killed since October 8 — Tehran is awaiting the invitation to join talks on a “political transition” in the country.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif conferred by phone with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Saturday, a day after Moscow met the US, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in Vienna to press its plan for Assad’s stay in power while negotiations are held.
Lavrov said after the meeting that he wanted Iran and Egypt to join the talks, but US Secretary of State John Kerry said that “this is not the moment” for the Islamic Republic’s participation.
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir threw up a barrier to Iran’s involvement on Saturday, declaring that Tehran is unacceptable as a supporter of “terrorism” throughout the Middle East.
Reporting on the phone call with Zarif, Iranian media are emphasizing that “Russia is keen to bring Iran as a major regional player into the talks” and that Lavrov renewed “Russia’s support for Assad” during the Vienna meeting.
In August, Saudi Arabia blocked a Russian-Iranian initiative for a high-level meeting, saying that Assad must depart before any discussions developed.
Russia subsequently built up its forces inside Syria and began its bombing campaign, primarily against rebels, on September 30. A week later, the Syrian military launched ground offensives, supported by the Russian airstrikes and fighters from Hezbollah, Iran, and Iranian-supported Iraqi and Pakistani militia.
Amid the latest political moves, Iran has put up signs of its closer relationship with the Russians, including a trip by Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan to Moscow and a visit by an Iranian destroyer and two frigates to a port in southern Russia.
