After years of wanting a seat at the table of the political process to end the 4½-year-old Syrian civil war, Iran will take part in talks in Vienna along with ministers from European and Middle Eastern countries. The invitation has led to a range of responses in Iranian media, from proclamations that Iran’s important status in the region has been recognized to concerns that the United States is using the talks as a cover to put American boots on the ground in Syria.
Jaffar Hagh-Panah wrote in Iran newspaper, which operates under President Hassan Rouhani's administration, “This is the first time that Iran has been invited without preconditions to the Syria peace negotiations.” He wrote that the most important short-term accomplishment for Iran’s presence in the talks could be the reduction in conflict and help with Syrians who have been displaced or are refugees.