Iran reportedly irate over Israel-Syria peace talks
Iran reportedly irate over Israel-Syria peace talks Author: By Barak Ravid and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, 23.5.2008
Sources close to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday said that he was unable to conceal his disappointment and surprise at the news of renewed Israeli-Syrian peace talks.
In an interview with the London-based newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat, the sources said that Ahmadinejad characterized the reports as a violation by Damascus of the two countries' mutual responsibilities toward one another.
The sources added that the Iranian leader also received detailed information about the secret negotiations weeks before the Syrian foreign minister's recent visit to Tehran.
According to the newspaper, Iran's Supreme National Security Council is preparing a response to a letter from Syria that mentioned its contact with Israel.
An Iranian editor also revealed to al-Sharq al-Awsat that the council instructed Iranian communications outlets and official Web sites not to refer at all to the Israel-Syria talks until further notice.
Senior Israeli sources on Thursday said that the announcement of the renewal of negotiations between Israel and Syria will have an immediate effect on Iran's status in the region.
The officials noted that Iran has not yet responded publicly to the talks. "It seems the Iranians are in shock," one of them said.
Israel and Syria will resume the indirect peace talks in a week or two, Turkish and Israeli government officials said on Friday.
Israel and Syria on Wednesday announced they had begun an open dialogue with the aim of a comprehensive peace, the first confirmation of negotiations between the long-time enemies in eight years.
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