NEW YORK: United Nations (UN) chief Ban Ki-moon urged Iran to pressure its ally Syria to reach a peaceful resolution of the brutal civil warthere.
During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Ban “reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict and asked Iran to exercise its influence in promoting a political solution,” his office said.
Iran has, in fact, heavily supported Assad’s regime militarily throughout the four-year war, funds a number of terror proxies (including Hamas and Hezbollah), and actively encouraged Russian airstrikes in the region.
The two leaders also discussed Yemen, where the UN is trying to revive peace talks and where Iran plays a key role through its support of Houthi rebels, who are Shiite.
Ban also called on all parties to implement “in good faith” the nuclear agreement Iran signed with major powers in July, according to a statement from his office.
Separately, Ban “underscored the need for Lebanon’s presidential vacuum to be filled as quickly as possible,” the statement added.
