Jalal Alhalabi/Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry indicated Monday that Iran may be participating in the upcoming peace talks on Syria—the first time there has been any acknowledgment that Iran could play a role. Kerry said Iran could contribute to “the sidelines” and there will be limits to how big a role Tehran could play in helping create a transitional government in Syria. Russia, which has been one of Bashar al-Assad’s best friends in the western world, has insisted that Iran take part in the negotiations, but France and the U.S. have insisted Iran can only play a role if it is willing to agree to the Syrian president handing over power to a transitional government. Meanwhile, Syrian activists said rebel infighting has spread from the country’s north to its east, an area dominated by a group affiliated with al Qaeda.