Iran says currently “only observing” Syria

Iran is in no rush to establish ties with Syria's new government after the ouster of its long-time ruler and ally Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told AFP on Friday.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is currently only an observer of Syrian issues; we have no relationship with the current Syrian government, and we are not in a hurry in this regard," he said in an interview.

On “Israeli” threats against Iran’s nuclear programme, Aragchi said it cannot be destroyed in a military attack.

"Iran's nuclear programme cannot be destroyed through military operations... this is a technology that we have achieved, and the technology is in the brains and cannot be bombed," he added.

"I believe that if an attack on Iran were to take place, this attack could turn into a widespread fire in the region -- not that we will do that," Araghchi continued.

On potential for resuming negotiations with the United States, Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran will not engage while President Donald Trump applies his "maximum pressure" policy.

"We will not enter any direct negotiations with the US so long as they continue their maximum pressure policy and their threats," he said on the sidelines of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah.