TEHRAN--The chief editor of the Italian magazine **Avanguardia** has said that the Iranian government would be the best mediator in the Middle East crisis.

Leonardo Fonte said that the United States does not have the ability to solve the conflict since its government is under the influence of the Zionist lobby and an Islamic country should step in to solve the dispute.

He referred to the war-like nature of Ariel Sharon and said that any agreement made through U.S. mediation would only serve to intensify the conflict.

He also pointed out that U.S. sponsored agreements have so far failed to create peace in the region, since Israel is effectively given license to violate these treaties, which has resulted in more Palestinian deaths.