Iran and Russia to discuss Syria crisis

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov plans to pay a visit to Tehran to hold talks with senior Iranian officials on mutual issues and the latest regional developments, particularly the crisis in Syria.

Bogdanov, who is the Russian presidential envoy on the Middle East and Africa, will arrive in Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit, a senior Iranian diplomatic source told TASS on Saturday.

"The agenda includes a number of regional issues, including Syria," the source said.

The source noted that the sides would also exchange views about the battle against terrorism and Tehran-Moscow cooperation.

The trip comes as a ceasefire agreement in Syria, brokered by Russia and the United States, entered into force on February 27. The Syrian government accepted the terms of the truce on condition that military efforts against Daesh and the al-Nusra Front Takfiri militants, who are excluded from the ceasefire, continue.

Iran and Russia say the decision on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s fate is up to the Syrian people and support the Syrian army and its allies fighting militants.

SS