Germany would welcome Iran’s participation in any negotiations aimed at ending the civil war in Syria, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday.
Her comments, at a news conference in Berlin, reflect changing European attitudes towards Iran since it agreed last month to temporarily limit its nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief.
Previously, most western powers were reluctant to see Iran have any role in diplomacy over the Syrian crisis where it is the strongest supporter of President Bashar al-Assad.
Asked whether she thought Iran could play a constructive role, Merkel said, “I think Iran has a lot of influence over what happens in Syria. And everyone is welcome to participate constructively in the negotiations,” Reuters reported.
