Some media had carried reports that quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as saying that Iran has agreed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad steps down within six months.
Foreign ministers from 15 countries, Chinese deputy foreign minister, as well as top representatives from the European Union and the United Nations convened in Vienna on Friday to find a way for settlement of the Syrian crisis.
Iran Rejects it Has Welcomed Assad Step Down
"It's said that the next round of Syria peace talks will be held next week also in Vienna with participation of representatives from the Syrian government and opposition groups."
Not too hopeful about the Syria talks
In an exclusive interview with Press TV’s Website on Friday, journalist and blogger Richard Silverstein described the Vienna talks on the Syrian crisis a “hopeful sign,” especially in the wake of the ongoing foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria and the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe.
He, however, cast doubt on the possible outcome of the negotiations due to the miscellany of the interests of the parties involved, and their conflicting nature in some cases.
US shifting stance on Assad?
Separately, Kentucky-based political commentator John Miranda told that he expects at the end of the Vienna talks, US officials would drop their demand that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must leave power.
He also said that the Damascus government would seek broader assistance from Iran in the fight against militant groups wreaking havoc on Syrian soil.