Islam Times - Iranian, Russian Diplomats Discuss Situation in Syria

Islam Times - Officials from Iran and Russia talked about the latest developments in Syria during a new round of Astana negotiations in Kazakhstan.

Ali Asghar Khaji, the senior adviser to the Iranian foreign minister for special political affairs and Iran's chief negotiator, held a meeting with the Russian president’s special representative for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, in Kazakhstan’s capital on Monday.

In the meeting, held within the framework of the 22nd round of the international Astana Process, Khaji and Lavrentiev discussed the latest regional developments in light of the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime and the political and field developments in Syria.

Khaji condemned the Israeli regime's attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, warning against the Zionists' expansionist goals aimed at disturbing the balance of power in the region, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

Pointing to the ongoing and escalating attacks by the Zionist regime on Syria and its crimes and terrorist acts in the country, he emphasized the need for collective efforts to stop the attacks and hold the regime accountable in international forums. Khaji also asserted that addressing these issues is a top priority for West Asia.

The Iranian adviser also reaffirmed Tehran's principled stance in supporting any peace initiative in Syria and expressed support for the prospects of talks on normalizing ties between Syria and Turkey. Khaji emphasized Iran's readiness to facilitate the process.

For his part, Lavrentiev acknowledged the critical and sensitive situation in the region due to Israel's attacks and aggression on Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Syria.

He expressed concern about the negative fallout of escalating regional tensions on Syria's integrity and stability.

Both sides stressed the need for appropriate measures to safeguard the achievements of the Astana guarantors in light of the current sensitive developments.