Syria criticizes Western 'intimidation' of Iran

Syria on Wednesday criticized the "intimidation" of Iran and asserted the country's right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes during high-level talks with the chief Iranian nuclear negotiator, the official Syrian news agency said. SANA said Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, briefed Syrian President Bashar Assad and his deputy, Farouk al-Sharaa, on the latest developments concerning Iran's nuclear standoff with the West. Larijani told reporters after the meeting that his talks in Syria were "in the framework of ongoing consultations with Syria aimed at reaching an ... atmosphere of security, peace and stability for the region."