Regional developments call for Iran-Syria vigilance, consultation: FM Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran and Syria should remain vigilant and hold consultations given the recent regional developments and conditions.

According to Press TV, Zarif made the remarks in a Monday meeting with Syria's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad, who is in Tehran on his first foreign visit to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.

Zarif hailed the continuation of the political process in Syria and reaffirmed Iran’s support for the Astana peace process.

Iran, Russia, and Turkey have been leading a peace process for Syria known as the Astana process, because Kazakhstan’s capital, Nur-Sultan, formerly called Astana, originally hosted the meetings.

The Astana talks resulted in two agreements.

A first deal was signed in Kazakhstan’s capital, arranging for the creation of de-escalation zones across Syria, including in parts of Idlib. The second one that came about in the Russian resort city of Sochi allowed Ankara to bring in a small number of forces to man the observation posts to reinforce de-escalation.

While the two deals have helped significantly reduce fighting in Syria, the conflict has not entirely ended, due in large part to Turkish failure to separate terrorists from what it calls “moderate” militant groups in Idlib and Ankara’s dispatch of thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into the Syrian province to back the militants.

The Iranian foreign minister and his Russian and Turkish counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu respectively, in April emphasized the need to continue consultations and coordination among the three guarantors of the Astana process as the most effective format for the settlement of the crisis in Syria.

Also in his meeting with the visiting Syrian foreign minister, Zarif said the two-day International Conference on Return of Syrian Refugees held in capital Damascus last month resulted in positive outcomes.

US moves fuel regional tensions, serve Israel interests: Mekdad

The Syrian foreign minister, for his part, commended Iran’s constant support for his country in the fight against terrorism and extremism and said US measures are escalating tensions in the region and serve the Zionist regime’s interests.

Mekdad said the Syrian government is determined to continue the battle against terrorism and added that joint cooperation between Damascus and Tehran plays a leading role in this regard, which can also help restore peace and tranquility to Syria.

During the meeting, the top Iranian and Syrian diplomats also discussed mutual, regional and international developments and the joint campaign against terrorism.

Pointing to broad and strategic bilateral relations, Zarif and Mekdad stressed the importance of further promotion of ties, particularly in the economic sector.

Mekdad arrived in the Iranian capital on Sunday. He assumed the position last month after his predecessor Walid al-Muallem passed away.

ME