ANKARA (AA) - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tuesday his government received an oral invitation, from a source he would not disclose, to participate in a planned international conference on Syria.
"Iran has been and will continue to be an important part of resolving the Syria crisis," Abdollahian said.
He said Syria was capable of defending itself in case of a foreign military intervention in the country.
"We have no findings as to a possible military intervention in Syria, but provided such an intervention occurs, the Syrian army is strong enough to stave it off."
Abdollahian said Iran provided $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria, while avoiding sending soldiers or weapons.
- Arms deal between Iran and Russia
Abdollahian said the idea of Russia supplying Iran with Tor weapons instead of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems that the countries initially agreed on was discussed three months ago and the talks were still underway.
Abdollahian said the Islamic republic had not yet decided whether to ask for the return of the $3 billion it paid for the deal to Russia.
The weapons deal for the transfer of five Russian S-300s was signed in 2007. In September 2010, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev canceled the contract on the grounds that sending the weapons would violate a UN Security Council resolution banning the supply of conventional arms to Iran.
Tehran has been insistent the S-300s would not be included in the resolution's scope as they are considered defensive weapons.
