I know it says that Obama ‘informed’ Iran. But really, if Iran had objected to airstrikes in Syria, especially considering they control the Assad regime, would Obama have continued with airstrikes anyway? I seriously doubt it.
REUTERS – The United States informed Iran in advance of its intention to strike Islamic State militants in Syria and told Tehran that it would not target the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
“Iran was concerned about Assad’s position and his government being weakened in case of any action against IS (Islamic State) in Syria and brought this issue up in meetings with Americans,” a senior Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.
“This issue was first discussed in Geneva and then was discussed thoroughly in New York where Iran was assured that Assad and his government will not be targeted in case of any military action against Daesh (Islamic State) in Syria.”
He added that Iran was informed separately in advance of the airstrike.