Iran to attend international talks on Syria’s future

Rebels appalled at the invitation to Assad’s ally

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Wednesday it will attend the international talks on Syria’s future this week in Vienna, following an invitation from the Russian envoy that would mark Tehran’s first appearance at such a gathering.

The invitation to the talks, which are to take place Thursday and Friday, reflected a recognition by the United States that there’s little chance in resolving Syria’s four-year civil war without having Iran — the top ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad — at the table.

Tehran’s support has been crucial to Assad’s survival. Besides significant financial aid to Assad, Iran has acknowledged that its Revolutionary Guard officers are on the ground in Syria in an advisory role. There have been multiple Iranian officers and soldiers killed in fighting in Syria, though Tehran denies the presence of combat troops in the country.

But Iran’s participation quickly brought an angry outcry from Syria’s rebels who insist it can have no role in determining the country’s future. Iran will also be sitting across the table from its top regional rival, Saudi Arabia.

One round of talks have already been held in Vienna between Russia and the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, all backers of Syria’s opposition. In addition to pro-Assad Iran, pro-rebel Arab states have been invited to the new round, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as diplomats from Britain, France and Germany. The foreign minister of Egypt — which has taken an anti-terrorism stance that has made it less critical of Assad — also said he would attend.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who will be part of his country’s delegation, made clear Wednesday that Tehran believes any resolution to the conflict can only be on Assad’s terms.

“We believe the solution for Syria is a political solution. Americans and foreign players in Syria have no choice but to accept the realities in Syria,” Abdollahian told state TV Wednesday. “Assad … has the necessary readiness for talks with insurgents who are committed to a political path.”

Iranian state TV said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will attend the talks along with Abdollahian and two other deputies, Abbas Araghchi and Majid Takht-eRavanchi.

Syrian opposition activists said inviting Iran will only prolong the conflict because Tehran would reflect the Syrian position.

“The international community should not accept that the problem be the solution,” said Bebars al-Talawy, a Homsbased activist who reports on the fighting in central Syria. He said Iran was the source of the “knot” in the Middle East and “will only complicate the situation and increase the bloodshed.”