Reports are coming in that the United States asked Iran for help dealing with ISIS, but was turned down:
Iran' Supreme Leader calls U.S. anti-ISIS coalition pointless and superficial: http://t.co/gX9MFxqmIj
— Bloomberg (@business) September 15, 2014
US, through Iraq ambassador, asked Iran to cooperate on ISIS, says Khamenei. But leader said no.http://t.co/kVzMV4L3P8
— Paul Richter (@richtpau) September 15, 2014
Tell me this isn't true: MT @richtpau: US, thru Iraq ambassador, asked Iran 2cooperate on ISIS. But Iran said no.http://t.co/pRHicgNOgN”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 15, 2014
Sorry, Ari. It’s looking true — and embarrassing. Coverage form Iran:
‘#Iran never trusts US in anti-#ISIL fight’ http://t.co/GvNKGPZxaN #ISIS
— Press TV (@PressTV) September 15, 2014
Here’s analysis of the snub from Thomas Erdbrink, Tehran bureau chief for the New York Times:
Iran Khamenei said that he was "really entertained" by US statements of combatting ISIS while in hospital. Again refuses cooperation with US
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
First of all the whole matter of who invited and who declined is unclear in the Iran – anti ISIS coalition story.
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
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But what matters is that Iran cannot be a part of a US led coalition, from an ideological perspective.
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
The Iranians can now sit back, watch the show; if anything goes wrong they can blame the coalition as they have no responsibility themselves
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
Also, despite what many commentators hoped: US cannot be seen aligning with Shiite Iran as it would alienate deep ties with Arab states.
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
Iran now in comfortable position, it is the only country which controls boots on the ground and it will make sure to keep influence in Iraq.
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
Actually it would really have been a sign of deep, serious political change if Iran had been a part of this coalition.
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
Iran's Khamenei also said: "some officials did not disagree with discussing cooperation with the US (on ISIS), but I disagreed." #thatsfinal
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
Illustrating the debate among Iran leaders over US – Iran coop, dep FM Araghchi said today that: "consultations are still taking place."
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) September 15, 2014
What’s worse: that we asked Iran for help or that they turned us down?
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