German minister snubbed by Iranian policymaker

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel urged the Iranian government to push for a ceasefire in Syria.

Gabriel, who is on a two-day visit to the Republic to conduct trade negotiations, took the opportunity to discuss the deadlock in the Syrian conflict.

Iran is one of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s main supports. His regime has been accused of war crimes including the bombing of aid convoys and hospitals. “No one in Germany could understand that hospitals were being bombed and civilians were suffering,” the German minister said.

He also stressed that everyone who supports the Syrian government, including Iran, shares responsibility for ending the fighting. “I think Iran knows its responsibility there.”

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, cancelled talks with Gabriel. Though no reason was given the cancellation, it is expected that it comes as a result of the German minister’s criticism of Iran’s backing of Al-Assad and his calls for reforms in the Islamic Republic.