Bloomberg
By Ladane Nasseri
“There are no international authorizations for a military intervention in Syria,” foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying today by the state-run Iranian Students’ News Agency. “We warn against any moves or announcements that would result in further tensions in the region.”
Araghchi also questioned claims that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government used chemical weapons in an attack opposition groups say killed 1,300 people, saying “evidence” pointed to the fact that it had been carried out by “terrorist groups” with the aim to implicate the Syrian government. “The fact that they were used while UN inspectors were present is a sign that some hands are at work to accuse the Syrian government,” he said.
U.S. President Barack Obama is coming under increased pressure to intervene in Syria amid allegations of chemical arms use by Assad. In comments to reporters yesterday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel indicated that U.S. military forces, including naval vessels, are positioned in the Mediterranean and ready to act if the president calls on the Pentagon to strike at Syria.
“Provocative opinions by U.S. military officials or moves such as positioning war ships won’t help resolve the issue and will only endanger further the situation in the region,” Araghchi said.
