LBCI

Iran's Khamenei calls for Syrian elections to solve crisis

Middle East

01-11-2015 | 07:35

Share

Share

Iran's Khamenei calls for Syrian elections to solve crisis

2^min

Iran's clerical supreme leader said elections should be held in Syria to end the civil war there and criticized foreign powers that arm and fund Syrian opposition fighters, state television reported on Sunday.

In an annual address to the Islamic Republic's top diplomats, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also said that U.S. objectives in the Middle East were the opposite of Iran's and that negotiating with Washington on regional issues was meaningless.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attended the meeting after returning from inconclusive talks with world powers in Vienna on Friday aimed at finding a solution to the war, the first time Iran had participated in such talks.

"The solution to the Syrian question is elections, and for this it is necessary to stop military and financial aid to the opposition," several state media outlets quoted Khamenei as saying.

Iran has backed President Bashar al-Assad throughout Syria's conflict and sent troops to assist his army. Other regional powers, including Iran's rival Saudi Arabia, support a variety of armed rebel factions.

The war, in its fifth year, has killed around 250,000 people and displaced millions more.

The Vienna talks were attended by 17 countries including the United States, which has called for Assad to leave power as part of a political transition process. He has refused to do so.

But Khamenei, who tolerated talks with the United States to reach a deal on Iran's disputed nuclear program in July, has ruled out negotiating with Washington on any other issue.

"The Americans are trying to impose their own interests, not resolve issues, 60 or 70 percent through negotiations and the rest through illegal actions. So what is the meaning of negotiating with them?" the conservative hardline leader said.

REUTERS

Iran

Khamenei

Syria

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Fuel prices increase in Lebanon

Lebanon Economy

2026-02-13

Fuel prices increase in Lebanon

Registration open for displaced Lebanese to secure social assistance

2026-03-06

Registration open for displaced Lebanese to secure social assistance

A fragile homecoming: Lebanon’s displaced return south under temporary ceasefire

News Bulletin Reports

2026-04-17

A fragile homecoming: Lebanon’s displaced return south under temporary ceasefire

Israel PM says he and Trump agreed any final Iran deal must end 'nuclear threat entirely'

Middle East News

2026-05-24

Israel PM says he and Trump agreed any final Iran deal must end 'nuclear threat entirely'

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

2

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

3

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

4

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

5

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness

6

Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

7

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

8

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More