TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote an article in the Iran newspaper on Monday proposing solutions to the Syrian conflict.

Following is an excerpt of the article:
Lately the world has been a tad more optimistic towards bringing the Syrian crisis closer to an end considering the Vienna negotiations
However, at the very outset of the auspicious process, it seems necessary to look more seriously and considerately into the framework proposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Within the framework, Iran insists three principles: respect for the will of nations to build their own future, rejection of foreign intervention in countries’ interior affairs, and finally use of terrorism as a tool for political change.
In keeping with these principles, Iran has always been on the belief that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis and the only way out of the current situation is through a political solution carved out of a Syrian-Syrian political dialogue.
The prolongation of the crisis and abject situation in which the country is trapped is the aftermath of the unfavorable domestic atmosphere as well as expansive, violent foreign intervention. What has worsened the situation, however, is the destructive role of some countries, which have fueled violence in the country behind a democratic pose.
Therefore, it stands to reason that any plan seeking to end the Syrian crisis does require to pay more heed to the roots of the crisis. With all these in mind, the Islamic Republic of Iran asserts that any initiative proposed for a peaceful Syria needs to be based on the following tenets;
Firstly, it is only the Syrian people who can decide the future of their country and no foreign player is entitled the right to do so. The Syrian people favor no surrogate. Bygones are those days!
Secondly, an immediate ceasefire is demanded to stop blood shedding. There is further a need for a coordinated, comprehensive battle against extremism and terrorism in the region. An initial point of departure should be the Syrian crisis.
Thirdly, foreign players should help the Syrian government to initiate Syrian-Syrian negotiations so as to pave the way for a national political reconciliation, herby moving to a state where the future of the country comes out of voting boxes. A prerequisite for the foreign countries to fulfill the aim is to stop meddling in the country and impose their wills on the Syrian people.
Fourthly, all participating sides in the process are required to put aside their futile use of terrorism as a tool and avoid making distinction between moderate and extremist terrorists. Terrorist is condemned in all its forms.
Fifthly, vital to a progressive Syrian-Syrian negotiation and dialogue is a unified and integrated confrontation with terrorism.
Sixthly, long-term and effective battle against terrorism does require economic, social, and cultural solutions in addition to unavoidable, necessary security and military options. One without the other bears no optimal results.
Seventhly, in line with this, all Islamophobia and blasphemous acts to Islam in the Western world, which have marginalized Islamic communities, should be avoided strongly.
Eighthly, in short-term and by the time a political breakthrough is achieved, measures should be taken to take care of refugees.