US not opposed to Iranian participation in Syria talks

The US said yesterday that it supports talks that would lead to a political solution in Syria, even if the discussions included Iran.

“We support efforts to restart meaningful dialogue on a political track aimed at a solution based on the 2012 Geneva Communiqué,” a State Department official told the Anadolu Agency.

Noting that any political solution in Syria must be determined and led by Syrians, the official said all countries should play a constructive role, apparently citing Iran, a long supporter of the Syrian regime.

The UN’s special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura told the Security Council on Friday that he planned a series of one-on-one meetings early next month with warring parties in Syria. The meetings will include Iran and other regional powers.

“If Iran wants to play a constructive role in peacefully ending the ‎Syrian conflict, it should cease its support for the Assad regime and endorse the principles in the Geneva Communique,” said State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke.

The Geneva Communique is a road map to a political solution in Syria that calls for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to relinquish power.

Asked if the US would mind sitting at the negotiation table with Iran, Rathe said the US special envoy to Syria Daniel Rubenstein will take part in the talks.

“We don’t see these as negotiations; these are consultations,” he added.