PHOTO: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President Rouhani on Saturday


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Iran’s President Rouhani hosted German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Tehran on Saturday, discussing issues such as the implementation of the July 14 nuclear agreement and the crisis in Syria.

This week’s approval of the deal by the Iranian Parliament paves the way for Tehran’s compliance over the terms for its nuclear facilities and uranium enrichment. Discussions between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, Germany, China, Russia, and France) began on Saturday, and the implementation phase will be announced formally this week.

Iran is hoping that International Atomic Energy Agency verification of complication will lead to the lifting or suspension of US and European Union sanctions by December 15.

However, the nuclear issue may have been eclipsed in Saturday’s talks by discussion of a new effort for political talks over Syria’s 4 1/2-year conflict.

Steinmeier told reporters, “My wish is that Iran uses its influence in the government and on Assad and his entourage so that we take the first steps towards a de-escalation in Syria.”

The Foreign Minister said he wanted the Assad regime to stop using barrel bombs and to allow aid organisations to reach people in need.

Without directly referring to the crisis, Rouhani said, “Iran and Germany can, in addition to efforts to promote mutual relations, cooperate with each other to settle regional and international problems, particularly for regional peace and stability and a more effective fight against terrorism.”

A Russian-Iranian initiative for talks, which would confirm President Assad in power while a political transition was pursued, was blocked by Saudi Arabia in August. However, subsequent Russia’s military intervention has helped push Germany, the US, and Britain into support of the idea.


4th Iranian Revolutionary Commander Killed in 10 Days in Syria

Another Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander has been killed, according to Iran’s Basij News.

The body Moslem Khizab, the former commander of a Guards battalion in Isfahan, will be returned to Iran on Tuesday. There is no information yet of where he was killed.

General Hassan Hamedani, the overall Iranian commander in Syria, was slain by the Islamic State near Aleppo on October 7. Two former commanders of Guards brigades died last week in the regime-Russian offensives in northern Syria.

(Cross-posted from Syria Daily)