Iran FM Zarif, meeting Kerry, says not authorized to discuss Syria

Laura Rozen

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L, gesturing), EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (C) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) meet during the third day of closed-door nuclear talks at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva November 9, 2013. France warned of serious stumbling blocks to a long-sought deal on Iran's nuclear programme as foreign ministers from Tehran and six world powers extended high-stakes negotiations into a third day on Saturday to end a decade-old standoff. REUTER — US Secretary of State John Kerry (L), EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton (C) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) speak together during the third day of closed-door nuclear talks at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva Nov 9, 2013. — Christophe Bott/Pool

Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference for just over an hour Sunday.

They discussed upcoming comprehensive Iran nuclear negotiations set to get underway in Vienna this month, and the case of Americans detained or missing in Iran.

But notably, when Kerry raised the issue of Syria, Zarif indicated that he was not authorized to discuss it, a US official told Al-Monitor.

"Secretary Kerry raised his concerns about the delay in moving chemical weapons to the port in Latakia, and the humanitarian situation on the ground specifically in the besieged areas," a senior US official told Al-Monitor Sunday. "He also urged Iran to show a willingness to play a constructive role in bringing an end to the conflict."

Iran FM Zarif, meeting Kerry, says not authorized to discuss Syria

During a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, US secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif discussed the P5+1 negotiations, when Kerry raised Syria Zarif stated he was not authorized to discuss the matter.

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