CRI听力:Iran Ready to Hold Talks on Syria with US, Saudi Arabia: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has signaled a willingness to discuss the current situation in Syria with other countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Rouhani made the suggestion while meeting with Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Tehran.

"Iran is ready to sit at any negotiating table if it sees the outcome will be a secure, stable and democratic future for Syria. Iran is ready to talk and negotiate with anyone about that; with regional countries or world powers."

But in making the statement, Rouhani says the Iranian side is not willing to debate the future of President Bashar al-Assad until peace is achieved.

Shiite Iran is a staunch supporter of Syria.

It has long accused its Sunni rival Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States, of siding with anti-Assad rebels and militants.

Tehran has been sending in military advisers to Damascus to help Assad's troops fight the Islamic State.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer's visit to Tehran, the first by a European leader in over a decade, comes as Iran attempts to smooth over international ties following the landmark nuclear deal in July between Tehran and world powers.