Iran's role in region cannot be overlooked

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad- Javad Zarif criticized on Sunday the tendencies which try to prevent Iran from attending the upcoming international Geneva II conference on Syria. "We believe that the view which prevents Iran from playing a positive role on Syria issue is not realistic," Zarif said here at a joint press conference with his visiting Italian counterpart. He said Iran's influential role cannot be overlooked in the regional developments and his country is ready to play a" constructive" role in upcoming Geneva II conference on Syria if it is invited. "We have announced readiness to find a political solution to Syria crisis and to have a constructive and effective presence in Geneva II," the Iranian foreign minister stressed. On Friday, UN-Arab League joint special representative to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the United States had not agreed on Iran's participation in the upcoming international peace talks on Syria. "We hope the efforts (to solve Syria issue) will be based on realities," Zarif said, reiterating that if Iran is invited, it will take part in the forthcoming conference on Syria. He stressed only political dialogues among the Syrians can solve the problems of the country and outsiders to the Syrian conflict cannot decide on the Syrians' future. Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said at the joint press conference that her country supports Iran's positive presence in Geneva II conference. "We want positive presence of Iran in the international conference of Geneva II on Syria crisis," Bonino said, highlighting Iran's influential role in the region. "Geneva II conference is the will of the United Nations to solve Syria crisis," she said, adding that "all the countries which have influence to stop tragedy in Syria should attend Geneva II conference." "We hope the participants in the upcoming conference will find a solution to the crisis in the country," she said. On Sunday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran's insistence on the resolution of the crisis in Syria through political means, according to Press TV. "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the way to resolve the issue of Syria is solely political," Amir-Abdollahian said. He also said those who attempt to include terrorists in the upcoming talks on the crisis in Syria are "getting it wrong." The Iranian diplomat stressed that no foreign entity should impose its will on the Syrian nation and noted that the parties that set preconditions for the upcoming talks on Syria do not have a realistic understanding of the realities on the ground. Iran, the main regional ally of the Syrian government, has condemned foreign intervention and terrorists' involvement in the Syrian conflict. It has also urged for a ceasefire in Syria prior to Geneva II conference.