Iran Pact Threatens Assad. (cover story)

The article discusses developments that could threaten the position of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Although Iran supports Assad in his fight against anti-government rebels, a nuclear agreement between Iran and Western countries including the U.S. could provide an opening for reconsideration by Iran of its role in Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country has been supportive of Assad, acknowledges that the situation in Syria has become more complex.