Tehran: Iran on Monday lauded Trkiye’s pivotal role in the Astana process, highlighting its contributions to reducing tensions in Syria. Speaking at a weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaee emphasized the importance of the Astana process in de-escalation efforts, stating, “Trkiye has a key role in the Astana process.”

According to Anadolu Agency, Baghaee praised Trkiye’s beneficial and constructive influence in Syria, underscoring the necessity of continuing the Astana process to improve the situation in the war-torn country. He described the Astana process as the most enduring and effective mechanism for managing the crisis in Syria.

Baghaee recalled the significant efforts by Trkiye, Iran, and Syria as part of the Astana process to reduce regional tensions. He reiterated that the three guarantor countries have actively taken steps to control these tensions and stressed that the international community acknowledges the impact of the Astana process.

The spokesperson also men
tioned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Ankara, where discussions are set to focus on counter-terrorism efforts. The Astana format talks, launched in 2017 under the auspices of Trkiye, Russia, and Iran, aim to resolve the Syrian civil war, which began in early 2011.

Recent clashes broke out on November 27 between Assad regime forces and anti-regime armed groups in the western countryside of Aleppo, northern Syria, marking a re-escalation of fighting after a period of relative calm in the ongoing civil war.