Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has stressed the Islamic Republic’s key role in the region, saying regional crises cannot be settled without Iran’s cooperation.


Salehi made the remarks in an interview with Al-Mayadeen TV in reference to the ongoing crisis in Syria.

The unrest in Syria erupted over two years ago and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The top Iranian diplomat described the recent events in Syria as “foreign aggression,” adding that regional crises cannot be resolved without Iran’s engagement.

Iran has repeatedly expressed its opposition to any foreign intervention in Syria's internal affairs, stressing that inclusive dialog and national reconciliation as well as free elections are the keys to resolving the unrest in the Arab country.

Salehi further said that Iran has been verbally invited to the Geneva conference on Syria.

On May 7, Russia and the United States agreed in Moscow to convene an international conference on Syria, which will serve as a follow-up to an earlier Geneva meeting held in June 2012.

Commenting on Egypt’s decision to cut off diplomatic relations with Syria, Salehi said, “Egypt could have played a great role in resolving the Syrian crisis.”

On June 16, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi announced his government’s decision to sever ties with Damascus during a speech at a rally in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Salehi also announced Iran’s readiness to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in resolving regional issues.
 

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