FM Spokesman: Iran to Decide on Partaking in Geneva II after Details Emerge

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Araqchi said that Tehran is still undecided about taking part in the upcoming Geneva II conference in Switzerland in July.

“The Islamic Republic will decide about taking part in the Geneva II conference after the plans, date and agenda of the international event are announced,” Araqchi said on Friday.

Last week, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani underlined the necessity for the settlement of the crisis in Syria through talks, but cautioned that Tehran would not take part in the Geneva II conference on Syria in Switzerland if “Israel “is invited to the international gathering.

“If” Israel “takes part in the Geneva II conference, Iran will never participate in it,” Larijani said in an interview with al-Mayadeen news channel on Saturday.

He stressed that Iran believes in the necessity of the political settlement of the Syrian “problem”, and said violence and crisis in the country merely serves the interests of the Zionist regime, the US and other western states.

“Iran only believes in the settlement of the crisis in  Syria through the ballot box,” Larijani underscored, and stressed, “The Syrian government enjoys more legitimacy than some other regimes (in the region)”.

Earlier this month, a prominent Syrian legislator underlined that Iran should take part in the upcoming Geneva II conference.

“Iran, as a key player in the regional political scenes and a major state both at regional and international levels, should attend the Geneva II conference to be held in Switzerland in July,” member of the Syrian Parliament Walid Al-Zaabi said.

Al-Zaabi described Iran as true friend of the Syrian people and government.

Late in May, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underlined that Iran should take part in the upcoming Geneva II Conference.

“This issue is not related to the Syrians alone, as there are a number of foreign players involved at that crisis as well, and therefore, Iran’s presence at that conference is of key importance for us,” Lavrov said.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman announced that Tehran is likely to take part in the Geneva II conference on Syria if the co-hosts, the US and Russia, invite it to the international gathering.

“If the Geneva II conference is held and if Iran is invited, we will study our presence with a positive view,” Araqchi said at the time.

M.D