A draft resolution initiated by Saudi Arabia demanding that the UN General Assembly's human rights committee condemn Iranian and Russian involvement in Syria is a vain attempt because it will be blocked by Russia's veto, a member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said.
"I believe Saudi Arabia's draft resolution condemning Iranian and Russian contributions to Syria will lead nowhere because Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and will use its veto rights to prevent passage of the measure," Mehdi Davatgari told ICANA on Wednesday.
"Russia's veto power, as I see it, can open a new chapter in Middle East conflicts."
The non-binding resolution, prepared by Saudi Arabia and co-sponsored by Qatar and other Arab nations, the United States, Britain, France and other western powers, was presented during a meeting of the assembly's Third Committee, which focuses on human rights, Reuters reported.
It is expected to be put to a vote as early as next week, diplomats said. The vote would, therefore, come after the second round of international talks on Syria later this week, aimed at reaching consensus on a diplomatic solution to end the civil war in the Arab country.
Iran says its military advisors are offering advice to the Syrian Army at the request of the Arab country's government to help it fight militants more effectively.
The resolution demands foreign militias leave Syrian territory immediately.
The Iranian delegate complained about the mention of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps alongside terrorist groups.
Saudi Arabia is a member of a US-led coalition waging an air campaign in Syria in support of what it calls moderate opposition groups, which fight President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Saudi FM's Worthless Remarks
In another development, adding to signs of heightened Saudi hostility toward Iran, its foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, told Al Arabiya on Tuesday ahead of a Latin America-Arab world summit that "Iran seeks to establish relations with [South American] countries due to its weak international stance and because it does not have many friends across the world."
Jubeir added that Tehran has become "weak" and "seeks to gain favor from any country."
Another member of the Majlis commission, Avaz Heydarpour, dismissed Jubeir's remarks as "worthless", saying Iran seeks to improve its international relations from a position of "strength rather than weakness".
All regional states, except Saudi Arabia, respect Iran and acknowledge that Tehran's role is crucial to restoration of stability and security to the region, the lawmaker said in an interview with ICANA on Tuesday.
"After considering Iran's principled stance on regional developments, other countries realized that it is pursuing a sound strategy. That is why they are keen to strengthen relations with Iran," Heydarpour said, citing a flurry of visits to Iran by foreign delegations over the past few months after the signing of the nuclear deal with major powers on July 14.
