Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Iranian President Hassan Rohani has said his country is ready to hold talks with the United States and Saudi Arabia on ways to resolve the Syrian civil war.

Speaking at a press conference with his Austrian counterpart, Heinz Fischer, in Tehran on Sept. 8, Rohani said, “Iran will sit at any table with regional countries and world powers if the outcome will be a safer, stable, and democratic future for Syria.”

But he suggested Tehran would not debate the future of President Bashar al-Assad until peace is achieved, saying, “Our first priority is to stop the bloodshed, bring security, and let people return to their homes; then we can talk about the future.”

Shi’ite Iran, a leading backer of Assad’s regime, accuses the United States and Sunni rival Saudi Arabia of siding with Syrian rebels and militants.

  Iran, Rohani: Iran poised to broker international talks on Syria, WorldTribune.com