Iran Press/Iran news: Speaking with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin by telephone on Saturday evening, President Hassan Rouhani mentioned the recent developments in Idlib and his phone call earlier with the President of Turkey in this regard, saying: "The situation in Idlib is worrying and the decisions made under the Astana Process must be operationalized as soon as possible so that peace and security is returned to the region and terrorism is eradicated."
Stating that it is not acceptable that a part of Syria is under the control of terrorists, he said, "As it has been stressed repeatedly, the solution to the Syrian issue is merely political and will be resolved only through dialogue and we must not let the situation in Idlib turn into a pretext for America's interference and misuse of the Syrian issue," the Official website of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran reported.
President Rouhani also voiced Iran's readiness to host the next summit of Iran, Russia, and Turkey in continuation of the Astana Process, saying: "In the recent years, great actions have been taken in fighting terrorism through the cooperation of Iran, Russia, and Syria, the impacts and results of which must be protected."
"In the Idlib issue, we are fully ready to reach a political and security solution agreed by all three countries," he continued.
In another phone conversation, Iranian President Rouhani told his Turkish counterpart Erdogan that innocent people should be protected in Syria's Idlib province.
Following the escalation of tensions in Syria’s Idlib, Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into Syria and Erdogan has warned Turkey would launch a full-scale offensive to repel Syrian forces unless they pulled back from Turkish observation posts in the region.
In recent days, the Syrian army has managed to liberate several areas and villages in the south and east of Idlib province. The province of Idlib is the last base of terrorists in Syria.
Syrian Army has reclaimed significant territory since launching a stepped-up offensive in December, including areas around some of the Turkish military posts in Idlib.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened the Syrian government in recent days, saying the offensive violates a 2018 deal with Russia meant to prevent a broad military operation.
Iran- Russia relations, good and developing
President Hassan Rouhani described the relations between the two countries good and developing in all fields, saying: "We are ready to increase cooperation in all areas of interests to both countries."
On the recent developments regarding the nuclear issue, the President appreciated Moscow's stances regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and said: "We will live up to our commitments until the time we enjoy the interests of the agreement, and we hope that this agreement is saved with other parties' cooperation."
Coronavirus outbreak
At the same phone call, the President of Russia expressed sympathy with the Iranian government and people on the lives lost because of coronavirus, and welcomed Iranian President's suggestion for quick implementation of health protocols, adding, "We are ready to cooperate with Iran for quick implementation of health protocols."
Vladimir Putin stressed cooperation between Iran and Russia on JCPOA, saying: "The recent summit of experts in Vienna laid the ground for settling this issue, especially with regard to the fact that Tehran has cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)".
The President of Russia also referred to the agreements within the framework of Astana Process for resolving the Syrian issue as a very effective move, saying: "Creating de-escalation zones must not mean not fighting with terrorism."
Stressing the importance of preserving the territorial integrity of Syria, Putin said: "It is the Syrian government's right to react for fighting terrorism in its land".
Welcoming Iran's readiness to host the next tripartite summit, he said: "The next summit of the three countries in Iran can help achieve a solution".
214
Read More:
Innocent people in Syria's Idlib should be protected: Rouhani to Erdogan
Iran is concerned over tensions in Syria
Putin and Erdogan agree to meet next week to reduce tension in Syria
