US diplomat expects no 'role whatsoever' for Iran in new Syria

"If I'm to judge by today, Iran will have no role whatsoever, and it shouldn't," Barbara Leaf, the top US diplomat for the Middle East, told reporters.

A senior US diplomat said Friday after talks with Syria's new ruler that she expected the country would completely end any role for Iran, the longtime ally of fallen regime leader Bashar al-Assad.

"If I'm to judge by today, Iran will have no role whatsoever, and it shouldn't," Barbara Leaf, the top US diplomat for the Middle East, told reporters.