Iran FM says Syria strike ‘illegal’ under UN charter

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Javad Zarif iran fmA potential US-led military strike against Syria would be “illegal” based on the United Nations charter, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javed Zarif said in Baghdad on Sunday.

“Civilised countries, 65 years ago, took the options off the table when they rejected in the charter of the United Nations resort to force as an illegal practice,” Mr Zarif said, speaking in English in a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.

“Why (do) they (countries supporting a strike) call themselves civilised nations and continue to insist on all options being on the table?” he continued.

“All options have been removed from the table long, long, long time ago.”

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meets with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari (R) at the Baghdad airport September 8, 2013. Zarif visited Iraq on Sunday to discuss what he called the "dangerous situation" in Syria and the wider region.   REUTERS/ Saad Shalash  (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meets with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari (R) at the Baghdad airport September 8, 2013. Zarif visited Iraq on Sunday to discuss what he called the “dangerous situation” in Syria and the wider region. REUTERS/ Saad Shalash (IRAQ – Tags: POLITICS)

Mr Zarif was speaking during a one-day trip to Iraq, his first since being appointed foreign minister.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Zarif met Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Straits Times/AFP

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