Iran rejects speculation on shift, divisions over Syria
Iranian officials claim no differences among officials on Syria; Russia may be rethinking its Syria strategy; UN envoy stresses need for US, Russia “critical mass” in Syria.
Zarif, Soleimani reportedly on same page on Syria
Ali Hashem reported that a recent reshuffle of senior officials at the Iranian Foreign Ministry does not signal a shift in Iran’s approach to Syria.
The changes, announced June 19, include former ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari being appointed deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, succeeding Hossein Amir-Abdollahian; Amir-Abdollahian being named adviser to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, with perhaps some special envoy responsibilities; and Bahram Ghassemi taking over as head of the Public and Media Diplomacy Center as well as becoming the new ministry spokesman.
The reshuffle follows the designation of Rear Adm. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as being responsible for political and military strategy in Syria, including coordination with Syria and Russia.
