Iran seeks political solution to Syria crisis

TEHRAN - Iran seeks a political solution to the Syria crisis, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said here on Monday.

"Over the Syria issue, we emphasize that political ways should be considered by all of the parties in Syria," Zarif said in a joint press conference with visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.

Political talks should be carried out without any "dangerous and destructive intervention of foreigners," Zarif said.

Iran favors regional as well as Syrian interests, he said, expressing the hope that "all the efforts (to settle the crisis) bear results as quickly as possible."

Iran has had an accurate understanding about the dangers against the Syrians form the beginning and stood by their side and will continue its supports to the Syrian government as before, Zarif said.

Moallem said Syria is working with its allies, Iran and Russia,

to find a political solution for the Syrian crisis.

The solution should engage the Syrians in a dialogue without any foreign intervention, he stressed.

Both Zarif and his Syrian counterpart Moallem condemned alleged Israeli airstrikes on two areas near Damascus on Sunday.

Zarif said the Israeli move was in line with activities of "terrorist groups" fighting the Syrian government.

Israeli attack is an attempt to compensate for, what Moallem also called, the losses of the terrorist groups in Syria in their battle with the Syrian army.

Iran, the main regional ally of the Syrian government, has condemned foreign intervention and terrorists' involvement in the Syrian conflict.