‘Foreign mandate in Syria marks Iran’s redline in Vienna talks’

TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) – Iranian FM spokesman said Iran’s basic red line is that no foreign agent has the right to mandate the Syrian people. On the sidelines of the 21st edition of Iran’s Press and News Agencies Exhibition on Thursday evening, Hossein Jaber Ansari said, “so far, the level of Iran’s presence in Vienna-III talks has not been finalized yet, though Iran will definitely take part in the process with an emphasis on a sense of partnership." He emphasized that Vienna talks will definitely lead to a solution to the Syrian crisis. “Iran will not remain a witness to the meeting whereas we hope to participate in the meeting in order to put into practice the policies and priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran which are in consistent with the priorities of the majority of the nations in the region,” he explained. “Part of the problem depends on cooperation of the mass media in national issues,” noted Ansari adding, “No doubt, the final decision will be taken by relevant authorities in line with foreign policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” In response to a question on Iran’s redlines during the meeting in Vienna, the official asserted, “the country’s essential red line would be that no foreign state will have the right to mandate the Syrian people, rather they can only facilitate the political process leaving the Syrian people as final decision-makers who will determine the future of their country.” “Iran’s basic redline at the Vienna meeting will be preventing others to decide for the future of the nation on behalf of the Syrian people,” he reiterated. The spokesman maintained that, “What guarantees the success of the Vienna talks is the use of existing capacity of dialogue and collaboration which will lead to a new phase giving the people of Syria the right to make decisions about their fate.”