Amir-Abdollahian: Britain's View on Syria is 'Being Reformed'

While the British Foreign Secretary recently stated that 'Bashar al-Assad must eventually go,' Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister says that the views of the U.S. and EU member states, including Britain, regarding Syria are 'being reformed and coming closer to the realities on the ground.' According to the IRNA news agency, Amir Abdollahian, who traveled to London to meet with British officials, participated in a discussion at the European Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, October 20. On the same day, he also had an interview with Channel 4 in Britain. The meeting addressed issues related to Syria, including the roles of Iran and Russia in the developments in the country, the crises in Iraq and Yemen, and Tehran's relations with Riyadh and Moscow. Mr. Amir Abdollahian emphasized upon his arrival in London on Monday evening that Tehran's and Moscow's views on Syria 'are aligned' and 'it seems' that the views of the U.S. and EU member states, including Britain, are 'being reformed and coming closer to the realities on the ground.' He did not provide further details on what he referred to as the 'reform' of these countries' views regarding the situation in Syria. Meanwhile, Philip Hammond, the British Foreign Secretary, stated on Tuesday that the UK is ready to cooperate with anyone seeking a political solution for the transfer of power in Syria, but it is 'very clear' that Bashar al-Assad must eventually step down. Mr. Hammond emphasized that the proposal to create a no-fly zone in northern Syria, intended to be used as a base for fighting the 'Islamic State' (formerly ISIS), is impractical. Iran and Russia are the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad, while Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are calling for Mr. Assad's resignation. On Tuesday, Mr. Amir Abdollahian also stated that Iran welcomes the EU's approach regarding what he called 'more consultations with Iran' to overcome regional challenges. He also emphasized that Iran will not have 'any direct bilateral dialogue' with the U.S. regarding regional issues. Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has insisted that the Islamic Republic will not negotiate with the U.S. on regional issues following the Vienna nuclear agreement. Amir Abdollahian: Iran has increased the number of its 'military advisors' in Syria. According to the state news agency IRNA, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, on Tuesday continued his remarks by referring to military operations in Syria and what he called 'broader actions to combat terrorism,' stating that Iran has increased the number of its 'military advisors' in the country at Syria's request. Following Russia's military operations in Syria and reports of the Syrian army's 'advances' 'with the support of Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah' in Aleppo, more reports have emerged about the deaths of senior IRGC commanders in Syria. In recent weeks, at least three IRGC commanders have been killed in Syria, one of whom was named Hossein Hamadani, a senior commander of the IRGC in the country. Islamic Republic officials have stated that the IRGC forces in Syria operate as 'military advisors.' Two senior Turkish officials: Assad can stay for six more months. Meanwhile, two unnamed senior Turkish officials told Reuters on Tuesday that Turkey is ready to accept a political solution for the transfer of power in Syria, based on which Bashar al-Assad could remain in power for another six months. According to this report, these Turkish officials stated that they have shared this plan with their Western allies, and the U.S. is expected to discuss this proposal with Russia. Reuters reported that it is unclear whether Russia would welcome this proposal. The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly opposed the removal of Bashar al-Assad, with Ali Akbar Velayati, the international advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, emphasizing in an interview with Al Jazeera in August this year that Mr. Assad is a 'red line' for the Islamic Republic as long as he is 'in power.' Meanwhile, Kamal Kharrazi, former Foreign Minister and head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, emphasized on Saturday, October 17, that Bashar al-Assad's remaining in power until the end of his presidency is a red line for Iran. Mr. Assad's current presidential term ends in 2021.