Iran appears to have ruled out any sideline role in an upcoming Syria peace conference.
The official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as saying on January 6 that Iran was ready to participate in the conference, dubbed Geneva 2.
But she said Tehran would only accept offers "that preserve the honor of the Islamic republic."
Afkham made the remarks when asked about a suggestion by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that there might be ways Iran could "contribute from the sidelines" in the conference.
The United Nations has begun sending out invitations for countries to attend the meeting due to start January 22.
UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq announced that Iran is not on the first list of invitees to the talks.
He said Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet on January 13 to discuss whether and how Iran could take part in the conference.
The official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as saying on January 6 that Iran was ready to participate in the conference, dubbed Geneva 2.
But she said Tehran would only accept offers "that preserve the honor of the Islamic republic."
Afkham made the remarks when asked about a suggestion by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that there might be ways Iran could "contribute from the sidelines" in the conference.
The United Nations has begun sending out invitations for countries to attend the meeting due to start January 22.
UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq announced that Iran is not on the first list of invitees to the talks.
He said Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet on January 13 to discuss whether and how Iran could take part in the conference.
