AP Interview: UK Tells Iran to End Assad Support Britain's Middle East minister says Iran should only take a role in helping end violence in Syria if it halts support for President Bashar Assad's regime. Alistair Burt told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that Iran could "be part of the answer" if it changes approach. Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday he is developing a 12-nation group on Syria. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has also invited Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia to join a contact group aimed at ending the conflict. Burt said many nations in the region were skeptical Tehran can take a role. "Until the Iranians change their position in relation to Syria and stop their active support of a regime that's killing its own people, it's difficult to take them completely seriously," he said.