Iran Accelerates Efforts to Prevent War in Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held phone talks with his regional and European counterparts on the developments in Syria, specifically the US and its allies’ threats to wage a war against the country.

Zarif talked with foreign ministers of Jordan, Kuwait, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Greece, France, Azerbaijan Republic and Algeria on Wednesday afternoon.

He condemned use of chemical weapons by anybody in Syria, and reminded that Iran had been a victim of such weapons.

Zarif stressed that UN inspectors should execute a comprehensive inspection without any delay.

Referring to Syrian government’s agreement with Iran’s request for allowing the UN inspectors to visit the stricken area, Zarif warned against taking any hasty decisions.

He added that the final result of the investigation needs more inspection by international inspectors.

He went on to say that primary inspections indicated that the used materials were hand-made and were not ordinary chemical bombs, so nobody should jump into conclusions and accuse the Syrian government and army.

Zarif continued that the Syrian crisis has no military solution and all should try to find a political settlement with the aim of restoring tranquility to Syria, so Iran will support any initiative to stop violence and hold dialogue between both sides in Syria.

The foreign ministers of the aforementioned states also expressed their concern over situation in Syria and expounded on their country’s stance on the recent developments in Syria.

Foreign Ministers of Italy and Switzerland expressed clearly their opposition to military attack against Syria.

On Saturday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel claimed that the White House is studying different military options against Syria under the alleged pretext of using chemical weapons.

Hagel suggested the Pentagon is moving forces into place ahead of possible military action against Syria, even as President Barack Obama voiced caution.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Fayssal Mekdad stressed that the US and its allies had no proof of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government, adding that Damascus has presented the UN team with undeniable proof that militants had used the weapons.

In a statement to reporters, Mekdad said that this western policy means that such weapons will be used soon by the same terrorist groups they have supported against the European peoples.

He clarified that Syria submitted to the UN investigation mission proof on the use of chemical weapons by the armed terrorist groups in all sites.