Iran ‘must change Syria stance’

Saudi-Iranian reconciliation talks are expected to take place in the middle of this month, paving the way for a new era in relations between the two countries, said a high-ranking US diplomat.
“The US encourages Riyadh and Tehran to end their dispute,” Kuwait’s Al-Rai Arabic daily quoted the diplomat as saying.
A Saudi analyst, however, said the talks would not be successful as long the Iranians continue their support for the Syrian regime.
Saudi political analyst Jamal Khashoggi said he was not optimistic about the talks being successful because of the firm Iranian stance on the Syrian issue.
Speaking with Arab News, he said “Iran has occupied Syria” by providing military support to Bashar Assad to remain in power. He accused Iran of fighting the war on behalf of Assad.
Khashoggi, who is general manager of the Al-Arab news channel, said he was amused by the US move to reconcile the Saudis and Iranians.
“We are ready to listen to what the Iranians say, but this will not guarantee success. The Iranians should stop their support for the Assad regime to make the talks meaningful,” he said.
Khashoggi said the Iranians were acting like the Israelis by infringing on countries’ borders and then calling for negotiations.
“The Iranians want to drag us into an extended dialogue and divert attention from the core issue of Syria.”
Khashoggi said Saudi Arabia was waiting for the result of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah’s visit to Tehran. “We would like to know whether the Iranians have any good ideas on Syria.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday he could not take up an invitation to visit Jeddah to attend an OIC conference as the proposed dates clash with nuclear negotiations.