Iran informed US of Sarin gas shipment to Syria 9 months ago, ex-FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 7, IRNA -- Former foreign minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Saturday that Iran had informed US of shipment of chemical weapons, including Sarin gas, to Syria nine months ago.

Speaking to IRNA exclusively, Salehi said in that time, Iran informed the US authorities of the issue in a letter sent to Washington through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.

He added that no talks have yet been held between the Iranian and US officials on Syria.

Noting that Iran had, in the past, talked with the US over certain issues concerning Iraq and Afghanistan, Salehi said "There is no obstacle on the way of topical talks with the US.

"Even the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accepted holding topical discussions with Washington," Salehi added recalling parts of the Supreme Leader's speech in the eastern city of Mashad last March at the beginning of the new Iranian calendar year (march 21, 2013).

"In that time, the Supreme Leader made it clear that he was not against holding topical talks with US officials but, at the same time, he reiterated that he had no trust on Washington and that he was not optimistic about the outcome of the talks," Salehi said.

He added, "Iran has repeatedly announced that it has no problem with holding topical discussions with the US but mutual confidence should be created first and it should be assured of Americansˈ seriousness about the talks."

Recalling the issue of Afghanistan, Salehi said, "The American officials called Iran part of an 'evil axis' after they achieved their goals in that country.

"The Supreme Leader said Iran doest not need such talks that the Americans consider it as part of the evil axis after they accomplished their goals. Such talks are not appropriate," Salehi said.

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