Iran dismisses reports of secret arms deal with Syria
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman labels recent reports of secret arms deal with Syria as 'media game'
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Sunday dismissed as a "media game" recent reports of a secret arms deal with Syria allegedly made in return for an agreement that Damascus would not hold peace talks with Israel.
Mohammad Ali Hosseini refused to provide confirmation of the deal and questioned how the media would know about it if it was confidential.
"This is a media game," said Hosseini during his weekly news briefing. "It is not confirmed." The Arabic newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Saturday that Iran would provide US$1 billion to Syria for advanced weapons procurement and would assist the country with nuclear research and the development of chemical weapons, with the understanding that Damascus would not negotiate peace with Israel.
The deal was allegedly signed Thursday when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Syria, said the newspaper. Israeli media later rebroadcast the report.
Both Syrian President Bashar Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have publicly called for renewed peace talks recently, but have clashed over the specifics. Assad has demanded a guarantee that Israel would pull out of all of the Golan Heights.
He has also demanded a mediator or "honest broker" For the talks. Olmert has refused to commit in advance to a full withdrawal and has indicated a preference for direct talks.
