Conversation starters
Most popular
Bonneville Seattle is raising funds for the construction of a second Fisher House at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma and we need your help.Iran: chemicals `red line' but seeks rebel probe
April 30, 2013 @ 7:18 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's foreign minister is insisting that use of chemical weapons in Syria would also be a "red line" for Tehran, but suggests rebel forces should be investigated rather than the Islamic Republic's allies in Damascus.
Ali Akbar Salehi's comments reflect the deep divide between Tehran and the West over Syria's civil war. Iran remains loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad despite recent suspicions that his forces used chemical agents.
The semiofficial ISNA news agency quotes Salehi as saying Tuesday that the use of chemical weapons "by anybody is our red line." But he claimed opposition groups could have used chemical agents and demanded a U.N. probe.
Last week, Washington said it had "varying degrees of confidence" that pro-Assad forces used small amounts of the nerve agent sarin against rebels.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.