Iran denies negotiating with Israel over Syria

Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani yesterday denied media reports claiming that Iran and Israel have held talks over the Iranian presence in Syria in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

“Reports of talks between representatives from Iran and the Zionist entity aim to legitimise the Zionist entity and weaken the axis of resistance,” Shamkhani said in a press statement.

“Syria’s response to the Israeli aggression against the T4 airbase has enhanced the Syrian force’s confidence and made the Zionist entity understand that it will pay for any new aggression.”

NATO will not intervene if Iran strikes Israel

Last week, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi, denied reports that Iranian and Israeli officials have held indirect talks over the Syrian conflict.

Saudi Elaph newspaper reported yesterday that Iranian and Israeli security officials held security talks in a hotel in Amman. According to the paper, as a result of the talks, Tehran pledged not to involve Lebanese Hezbollah or any Iranian militia in battles in Western Syria; specifically in Daraa and Quneitra, against the Syrian opposition.

The newspaper added that Israel has agreed in return not to interfere in the course of the fighting there.

Iranian Ambassador to Jordan, Mojtaba Ferdowsi-pour, told the local Al-Ghad newspaper that Tehran will not participate in any form in the battles that will take place in Daraa and Quneitra, explaining that the battles will be carried out by the Syrian army with the help of Russia.