Iran takes seat in international peace talks on Syria



VIENNA: -- Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Vienna on Thursday (October 29) for peace talks on Syria.

It’s the first time Tehran takes a seat alongside world powers to try to find a solution to the conflict that’s been raging on for over four years.

A first round of bilateral meetings was held on Thursday in the Austrian capital. US Secretary of State John Kerry met his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.

“We have emphasized that the solution for Syria must be based on principles that are acceptable to all parties, with regards to interference in domestic issues, the fight against terrorism, respect for the government of Syria, and for the right of the Syrian people to decide their own fate,” Zarif said.

Kerry also met with the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. A dozen delegations are expected in Vienna on Friday.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: “I believe it’s already a relevant compromise, a relevant commitment for all the sides to be here tonight and tomorrow, to come together, to accept to sit together. This is already a very relevant starting point, that only one week ago was very difficult to anticipate.”

Iran and Russia are longtime allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and want him to remain in power, while the United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia want him to step down.

The foreign policy chiefs of Lebanon, Egypt, Britain, France and Germany are due to join the talks in Vienna on Friday.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-10-30

Iran setting in the international peace talks is akin to the proverbial fox in the hen house, Iran doesn't

care for anyone else only for its expansions and control ambitions, not a lot that Iran can and will bring

to that peace talks if it didn't profited and benefited greatly from it....

Iran setting in the international peace talks is akin to the proverbial fox in the hen house, Iran doesn't

care for anyone else only for its expansions and control ambitions, not a lot that Iran can and will bring

to that peace talks if it didn't profited and benefited greatly from it....

So does the US and Russia!!! You gotta be naive if you think the US, the west, and their allies in the region armed Syrian rebels for the sake of human rights!

Iran setting in the international peace talks is akin to the proverbial fox in the hen house, Iran doesn't

care for anyone else only for its expansions and control ambitions, not a lot that Iran can and will bring

to that peace talks if it didn't profited and benefited greatly from it....

Spoken as a true and vivid anti peace (talk) activist. Its not only that you are against peace (talks) in Palestine, now you're even questioning peace talks in another war torn country because of the proposal to include a party (Iran) that has respect from at least some sides of the factions fighting in Syria, but not with the regime in Israel.

I do love your pot-calling-the-kettle statement: ".....doesn't care for anyone else only for its expansions and control ambitions" because everyone can agree (even the extreme right wing supporters of Nethanyahu) that that is exactly how Israel behaves, actually, one can replace every time you mention Iran in your post with Israel, and all of sudden your post spills out the complete truth.....

Iran setting in the international peace talks is akin to the proverbial fox in the hen house, Iran doesn't

care for anyone else only for its expansions and control ambitions, not a lot that Iran can and will bring

to that peace talks if it didn't profited and benefited greatly from it....

Spoken as a true and vivid anti peace (talk) activist. Its not only that you are against peace (talks) in Palestine, now you're even questioning peace talks in another war torn country because of the proposal to include a party (Iran) that has respect from at least some sides of the factions fighting in Syria, but not with the regime in Israel.

I do love your pot-calling-the-kettle statement: ".....doesn't care for anyone else only for its expansions and control ambitions" because everyone can agree (even the extreme right wing supporters of Nethanyahu) that that is exactly how Israel behaves, actually, one can replace every time you mention Iran in your post with Israel, and all of sudden your post spills out the complete truth.....

Not *too* obsessed with Israel, are you..?

Having the Iranians participate in the future of Syria will not set well with Bombastic Netanyhu. Maybe he can get the new USA Speaker of the House Ryan to let him again address the USA Congress as Obama is not doing him any favors.

I find it satisfying to see Russia and Iran get willingly drawn into the Middle East quagmire. They will find it's a zero-sum game.

The Art of Diplomacy is sharing what you don't want and making the other side believe it won something of value.

Well done Secretary Kerry.

This is a huge diplomatic coup for Iran...they are now one of...if not The most powerful player in the ME...

The US has conceded it position to Russia and Iran...the oil and people are at their mercy...

US intervention into ME affairs has proven to be a disaster...no one there trusts their words or believes they will live up to their committments...

Edited October 30, 201510 yr by ggt

Iran is deserving of a seat at these peace talks, their soldiers are fighting in Syria!!!!