Islam Times - Iran Doubts US Intentions in Syria Ceasefire Deal

Islam Times - Iran has doubted US intentions in agreeing with Russia to establish a ceasefire deal in southwestern Syria.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, in Tehran, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi maintained that the US bombing of some regions in Syria casts doubt over its actual intention for establishing ceasefire in the war-ravaged country.

The ceasefire and a "de-escalation agreement" for the southwest went into effect on Sunday after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Hamburg. He went on to express hope, however, that the plan which was announced Friday would be based on the existing realities in the region so that it would be able to resolve the various problems in Syria.

Qassemi further noted Iran’s consultations with the Russian ambassador in Tehran on Sunday and a meeting with a Russian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riyabkov scheduled for today in Tehran would give a better insight on the truce saying time and patience will allow a better judgment on true US intentions in Syria.

Qassemi said, "The agreement can be fruitful if it is expanded to all of Syria and includes all the area that we discussed in Astana talks for de-escalating the tension."

Russia and Iran are the main international backers of the Syrian government in its battle against foreign-backed terrorists a while Washington supports terrorist groups fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Qassemi said Iran "is seeking Syria's sovereignty and security so a ceasefire cannot be limited to a certain location," adding "no agreement would be successful without taking the realities on the ground into account."

Iran, he said, has been fully informed by the Russians on the ceasefire agreement but the country sees some "ambiguities in the deal mainly related to the recent American measures in Syria."