With its nuclear deal with the US and other powers facing strong opposition in the US Congress and in Israel, Iran is further complicating the already muddled situation in the Middle East as it now wants to join the US-led alliance against the Islamic State.
The move was discussed when Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Moscow last week.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also went to Saudi Arabia to talk about ISIS. Zarif also went to Lebanon, Kuwait and Qatar to discuss a possible Iranian role in the fight against the jihadist group.
Iran is already playing an proxy role in the fight against ISIS in Iraq as it supports Shia militias battling ISIS militants on the ground, according to The Independent.
Iran is reportedly seeking to have a formal alliance with the US-led coalition and extend its role up to Syria.
"There is no border at the moment between Iraq and Syria and ISIS has its headquarters in Syria, so it is artificial to keep a campaign just to Iraq. After all, that is why Britain wants to join the Americans in extending bombing from Iraq to Syria. Iran can defeat ISIS," said a senior Iranian diplomat.
However, Syrian rebels are opposed to Iran's presence in the country.
Iran is still supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad despite reports that the country and Russia are preparing to abandon him.
Israel, which is at odds with Iran and vehemently opposes the nuclear deal, is also expected to oppose the presence of any Iranian forces across the border in Syria and will lobby Washington to prevent this.
"Our common threat today is the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism. The menace we're facing – and I say we, because no one is spared – is embodied by the hooded men who are ravaging the cradle of civilisation. To deal with this new challenge, new approaches are badly needed," said Zarif of Iran's willingness to join the coalition against ISIS.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said he would discuss with Russia the role Iran can play in the fight against ISIS.
ISIS beheads antiquities expert
Meanwhile, ISIS continued its terroristic acts, beheading Kalid alAsa'd, an antiquities expert in Palmyra in Syria, according to Rami Abdulrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
AlAsa'ad was beheaded on Tuesday in Palmyra's public square, according to CNN.
ISIS seized Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, last May, and destroyed two ancient Muslim shrines.
ISIS targets US, UK airmen
In a related development, ISIS has a "lone wolf' hit list targeting US and British airmen in England to retaliate for the US-led air strikes in Syria and Iraq.
Its "hacking division" has called for attacks against four Royal Air Force bases and posted personal information including addresses of more than 1,400 people including16 Air Force members who have served in Britain, according to Newsmax, quoting The Sunday Times in London.
"Those identified on the list are warned: 'We are extracting confidential data and passing on your personal information to the soldiers of the khilafah [caliphate] who soon, with the permission of Allah, will strike at your necks in your own lands!'" according to the newspaper.
