Syrian President Bashar Assad met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran on Wednesday.
Ahmadinejad's recent reelection shows that both Iran and Syria are on the right diplomatic path, Assad said. The fact that Iranians voted Ahmadinejad in for another term is “an important lesson for foreigners,” he added.
Assad denounced “foreign intervention” in Iranian affairs, an apparent reference to Western disapproval of the violent suppression of Iranian protestors in recent weeks. Hundreds of thousands turned out to protest following the presidential elections, claiming that the election had been rigged in Ahmadinejad's favor.
Ahmadinejad told Assad that Iran and Syria “are on the same front,” and suggested that the two countries cooperate to advance their mutual interests. “Every political development is an opportunity that we should take advantage of in any way possible, through mutual assistance,” he said.
Iran Denies 'Talks without Preconditions' Report
On Tuesday, Iranian state television quoted Iran's nuclear affairs envoy to the United Nations, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, as saying that Iran was prepared to hold talks regarding its nuclear program with no preconditions. On Wednesday, Iranian officials denied the reports.
Soltanieh denied having made any statement in favor of talks with no preconditions. “The only issue we have discussed recently is Iran's call to forbid threats and attacks against nuclear facilities worldwide. This is a global issue that concerns all countries,” he said.
Iran will continue to move forward with its nuclear program, Soltanieh said. He told reporters that his country would cooperate with UN nuclear inspectors.