In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera America, Emad Kiyaei, Executive Director of the American Iranian Council, urges the international community to begin a dialogue with Syria's Bashar Al-Assad to avoid a protracted conflict. He also added that a viable solution cannot be reached without having Iran at the table.

Mr. Kiyaei goes on to point out that the focus on IS or Daesh has sidelined the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis taking place in Syria.