Iran Briefs Syria on Latest Nuclear Developments

Xinhua:

Visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Reza Bagheri said here on Thursday that he has informed the Syrian leadership of the latest developments concerning the country's nuclear studies.

"We found that it is very necessary to inform the Syrian officials about any development, particularly as Syria is a friend to Iran and a member at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Bagheri told reporters after meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. READ MORE

"Iran has sent a message to the IAEA that the country will begin on Jan. 9 development studies in nuclear energy," Bagheri said.

According to the official SANA news agency, Bagheri also held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the latest regional and international developments and the threats which the two countries were facing.

Bagheri said he conveyed a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to President Assad on bilateral relations and issues that require consultations, noting that Iran will remain standing by Syria.

Bagheri arrived in Damascus earlier in the day on a short visit.

Iran announced on Tuesday that it would resume nuclear fuel research as of Jan. 9, a move that led to immediate warnings from the United States, the European Union and the IAEA.