Jan 13, 2014

The “smile diplomacy” that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif launched in the Middle East took him on Jan. 12 to Lebanon, the first stop on a regional tour that will also include visits to Jordan and Iraq. According to Al-Monitor’s sources in Tehran, there is also a possibility Zarif will pay a visit to war-torn Syria, which, regardless, will dominate most of his talks, along with issues of mutual interest.

It is almost certain that Iran will not take part in the forthcoming Geneva II talks on Syria, but that does not mean that it is stuck on the sidelines. An Iranian source informed Al-Monitor on Tehran's thinking, asserting, “Whoever is meeting in Geneva knows that Iran is vital for any solution in Syria.” He added, “These countries need our efforts, and we are genuinely keen to do our part to make sure this conference reaches a happy ending. Part of these efforts is this regional tour.”

Zarif visited Turkey on Jan. 4, and his stops in Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan will complete the tour of states surrounding Syria aimed at understanding their views and commitments to closing their borders to bar militants from entering Syria and smuggling arms. “Iran has a message to convey to these countries: There’s no chance that Assad will fall militarily, and it’s important to cooperate to pave the way for a political solution now to rid thousands of [people] of the tragedy they are going through because of the continuing war,” offered Al-Monitor's source. He said that it would be in the interest of these countries to be cooperative in the effort, arguing, “Some countries seem to be ignoring the danger of al-Qaeda to them. They think they are only a transit zone to Syria, but look at Lebanon and Iraq. They have started bleeding.”

In Lebanon, Zarif is undoubtedly seeking answers to questions about the death of Majid al-Majid, the Saudi national who led the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, al-Qaeda’s Lebanese branch. Tehran wants details especially because Majid’s group claimed responsibility for the twin suicide attacks on the Iranian Embassy in Beirut last November.

“Is there any link between al-Majid and any regional powers?” asked the Al-Monitor source. “Did he provide any details? What about the second Saudi man? Who is he, and what is his role in the group? These are all questions Zarif will ask. This was an attack on Iran, and Iran wants to know the details.”