MESOP NEWS INSIDER : MULLAHS CALLING FOR ERDOGAN – Rouhani Calls Turkey’s Erdogan About Syria

January 13 –  by Scott Lucas – eaworldview –  In Iran’s latest maneuver over the Syrian crisis, President Hassan Rouhani has called Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Iranian State media framed Thursday’s call as Rouhani’s emphasis on “the need for promotion of cooperation…to advance the long-term interests of the Middle East” and his assurance that “the Islamic Republic of Iran is content with closer cooperation among Ankara, Tehran and Moscow to bring about peace in the region”.

The reconciliation of Turkey, which had been a leading backer of Syrian rebels, with the Assad regime’s key ally Russia has posed questions for Iran even as the three countries began discussing political and military arrangements. Tehran says it is committed to President Assad remaining in power, but Russia has been less forthright and may accept a settlement which leaves the opposition and rebels in control of part of Syria.

Iran has also been wary of the Turkish-Russian efforts for a ceasefire and political talks. Iranian-led militias twice undermined the arrangements for removal of civilians and rebels from opposition districts of Aleppo city in December. An Iranian headquarters is reportedly assisting the pro-Assad offensive against Wadi Barada, northwest of Damascus, in violation of the ceasefire announced December 29 by Ankara and Moscow.Iranian State media said Rouhani “expressed satisfaction” over the ceasefire, albeit without mentioning the ongoing pro-Assad attacks. He said of the proposed regime-opposition talks in Kazakhstan later this month, “We are all determined to fight all terrorist groups in the region. I hope relative stability prevails in Syria and the region through cooperation between Iran and Turkey.”

According to Iran’s Press TV, Erdoğan said, “Iran and Turkey shoulder a great responsibility in the region, so they should strengthen their mutual cooperation in a bid to ease regional tensions.”

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