Iranian, Russian Deputy FMs Discuss Astana Syria Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov conferred on the latest diplomatic efforts to end Syria crisis.
During their phone conversation on Wednesday, the two diplomats exchanged views on the latest developments regarding the upcoming Syria talks due to be held in Kazakh capital of Astana on January 23.
The conversation came a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif voiced the country’s opposition to the participation of Washington in the Syria peace talks in Astana.
“We are opposed to US presence (in the Astana meeting)” Zarif told Tasnim on Tuesday.
“We have not invited the US and are against their presence,” he added.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.
Diplomatic efforts to end fighting in Syria have gained momentum in recent weeks with the announcement of a ceasefire in the Arab country earlier this month.
The truce, which has been negotiated between Russia, Iran, Turkey, the Damascus government and the Syrian opposition, excludes terrorist groups such as Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.
It will be followed by a new round of peace talks between the Syrian government and foreign-sponsored opposition groups in Astana on January 23.
