Reuters learned of the agreements between Russia and Iran on Syria – RBC

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in November 2015

Photo: AP

Iran decided to develop a unified with Russia’s position on a political settlement in Syria, which, in particular, can lead to a weakening of the hard opinion of Tehran on the need to save at Bashar al-Assad government. The agency Reuters on condition of anonymity, said a number of senior Iranian officials.

The official occupying the position of strong support for Assad, Russia has recently made it clear to the West that it has no objection to leaving the Syrian leader as part of the peace process, told diplomatic sources the agency. Like Russia, Iran publicly insists that Assad should leave only if he loses the election. Iran’s decision to step up coordination with Russia on the Syrian issue was taken after a meeting last month between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, said one of the interlocutors Reuters in Tehran, familiar with the negotiations.

“Iran and Russia have agreed that they will carry out a policy that would benefit Tehran, Moscow and Damascus. Iran seriously believes that the Syrian people should decide the question of his fate. But first must come a calm [in Syria], “- said a senior Iranian official news agency. “It is possible that the Syrian people will decide that Assad must go, and then he would have to go” – the official added.

«If he (Assad) can not serve his country and his people, the country must able to manage this successor, “- said the source of the second Reuters, adding that Iran Russia are in” full agreement on Syria and the fate of Bashar al-Assad. ” Source Agency said that the meeting between Putin and Khamenei held a “very successful, and now Iran and Russia share the same views on the Assad».

At the same time, the question of the resignation of Assad is the key contradiction in the positions of the West, Russia and Iran on the future of Syria. After the meeting with Putin, Khamenei has publicly criticized the United States, saying that the United States policy in the Middle East is a threat to Moscow and Tehran, says the agency. Reuters also notes that Russia and Iran may be interested in building a new relationship based on a shared distrust of the West and the desire to resist American hegemony in the Middle East.

Diplomatic sources Reuters said that Iran will continue to move in the direction of Russia’s position and fully abandon Assad, if found to be viable diplomatic solution that will put an end to the war in Syria. But, according to one source said, crucial in the agreements between Russia and Iran will be the question of how the Assad leaves office. For example, the United States, Europe and the Gulf countries insist that Assad should not participate in the upcoming elections in Syria.

agentsvo Bloomberg, in turn, referring to Iranian analysts, wrote that Khamenei, who together with the powerful conservative faction in the Iranian parliament opposes broad rapprochement with the United States, seeks to “use strategic friendship with Russia to nullify the” efforts of President Hassan Rouhani to normalize relations with the West after the nuclear deal. However, Bloomberg notes that although Vladimir Putin said during a visit to Tehran has expressed support for the Allies, do not cease speculation that Moscow wants to see at the head of Syria’s friendly Russian government without Assad.

Reports of “secret” talks between Iran and Russia on the situation in Syria has repeatedly appeared Western and Iranian media. So, shortly after the start of Russia’s military operation in Syria, Reuters, citing informed sources reported that Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the division for international relations “Qods” Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, visited Moscow in July this year. According to sources the agency is Sulejmani visit was the first step in the planning of Russia Syrian campaign, because that Iranian general convince the Russian side that for the regime of Bashar Assad “all is not lost.” This week, the Iranian Fars news agency reported, citing informed sources reported that Qasem Soleimani last week visited Moscow and met with Vladimir Putin. According sobesdenikov Agency, during a three-day visit to Moscow, General Soleimani discussed with the Russian leader, and senior officials of the issues raised at the meeting between Putin and Khamenei. Sources Fars noted that during the meeting Putin called Sulejmani ‘my friend, Kasem ».

At the same time intensified and international talks on the situation in Syria. December 18 at a meeting in New York, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on the peaceful settlement in Syria. The document specifically suggests the beginning of work on the creation of a new constitution in Syria, and the holding of elections in the country for 18 months after the start of work on the Constitution.