Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran Organises its Own Conference on Syrian Conflict Reuters

Iran will host a meeting of foreign ministers to seek a resolution the Syrian conflict, although it is not yet known which countries will attend.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the conference as an opportunity "to replace military clashes with political, indigenous approaches to settle the disputes".

Iran's deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the meeting would be restricted to states with "a correct and realistic position" on the Syrian conflict.

Abdollahian told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the aim was to find "ways out of the crisis, the return of stability and calm to [Syria] and also supporting all constructive regional and international efforts".

Countries that have come out in support of the rebels opposing Syrian president Bashar al-Assad will be excluded after Iran reiterated claims that many countries were using the conflict as a proxy war to reshape the Middle East and create a region more in line with US interests.

"Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are responsible for the blood that is being spilled in Syria," said Iran's armed forces chief Seyed Hassan Firouzabadi, according to the Revolutionary Guards' website.

"It is not the right basis for Syria's neighbouring countries to help the war-raging goals of America. If that is the basis they should know that next, it will be Turkey's and other countries' turn [to face American oppression]," Firouzabadi added.

Iran's regional influence in tatters?

Iran 's enmity towards Turkey and Saudi Arabia is largely based on the prominent role both countries have played in international talks on Syria over recent months.

While Iran has repeatedly demanded inclusion in talks organised by western and Arab states on the Syria crisis, it has thus far been excluded, while both Saudi Arabia and Turkey - with whom Iran is competing for influence in the Middle East - have played a prominent role.

Iran was a notable exclusion from the 'Friends of Syria' conference which took place in July. Around 100 delegations met in Paris to discuss ways to help the rebels aiming to overthrow President Assad, and create a viable transition strategy.

Iran remains a loyal ally to the Syrian government, and has even increased its declarations in support of Assad in recent weeks.

Iranian officials have refused to rule out possibility of an Iranian intervention in Syria in support of the embattled government regime.