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Russia warns US to consider Moscow-Ankara-Tehran efforts on Syria

Published

9 years ago

February 26, 2018

Russia warns US to consider Moscow-Ankara-Tehran efforts on Syria

Moscow allege Washington for need based anti-terrorism policy

Divide between US and Russia over developments in Syria was getting more vertical after Saturday’s UN resolution for 30-day ceasefire all over the country. In a rare move, Russian embassy in Washington has warned US administration that it should take into account the “tireless efforts” made by Russia, Turkey and Iran to reconcile the Syrians.

According to TASS official news agency, the statement issued by Russian embassy was in response to remarks by the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert about “the failure of the Astana process” in connection with the situation in Eastern Ghouta.

The Russian embassy statement said, “UN Security Council Resolution 2401 passed on February 24 points to efforts made by Russia, Turkey and Iran as the guarantor nations of the Astana process to reduce violence on the way towards a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Syria. We confirm that we, together with our Turkish and Iranian partners, continue the painstaking work in this direction and are getting ready for the next Astana-format meeting in March”.

The Russian statement further said, “The US supported the passing of Resolution. In light of that, we took note of remarks by Spokesperson Heather Nauert about the ‘failure of the Astana process’ in connection with the situation in Eastern Ghouta made at a State Department press briefing on February 22, which contravene the US stance at the UN”.

It further said, “Such biased statements cannot fail to raise eyebrows. It has never occurred to anyone to talk about ‘the failure of Geneva,’ despite the fact that, unfortunately, no significant milestones in the Syrian political settlement have been achieved there ever since it was launched.”

In a more direct criticism of Washington policy on terrorism, the Russian embassy further said, “We hope that the United States was not guided by the need to stop counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, the Army of Islam and Faylaq al-Rahman groups (outlawed in Russia ) operating in the suburbs of Damascus”.

The statement continues saying, “However, there are some doubts on that score. Sources ‘on the ground’ cited by Americans more and more often indicate that the information on the situation in Syria received by them comes from the White Helmets NGO, which is mixed in with terrorists and which is financed by Western proponents of the concept of forcible change of unwanted regimes.”

Moreover, Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria, a Latakia based joint Turkish-Russian enterprise in agreement with US-led coalition, has warned that militants in Eastern Ghouta were preparing to launch a chemical attack which would later be blamed on Syrian government.

The centre in its report released on Sunday said, “The data at our disposal indicates the leaders of militant units are preparing a provocation that will involve the utilization of chemical weapons in order to accuse the government forces of deploying chemical weapons against peaceful civilians.” The centre has also called on all sides engaged in the conflict to halt all combat actions and armed provocations.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports from Beirut that Iran said pro-Damascus forces would press ahead with attacks on an insurgent enclave near Syrian capital as ground fighting raged on there in defiance of the UN resolution demanding a 30-day ceasefire across the country.

Similarly, Turkey has also said that its military operations in another theatre of war in northern Syria would not be affected by the UNSC vote demanding ceasefire to allow for aid access and medical evacuations from the besieged area.

Reuters further quoted anti-government rebels that they clashed with pro-government forces near Damascus on Sunday as the rescuers and residents confirmed that warplanes struck some towns in the Eastern Ghouta area.

However, London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that air-strikes and artillery killed nine people and injured 31 others. Bombing was reportedly less intense than previous week.

Meanwhile, Aljazeera, which has lost its credibility among Syrians due to alleged bias reporting, says that Syrian forces have launched a ground and air-offensive in Eastern Ghouta, hours after UNSC vote for a 30-day ceasefire.

It further said that President Bashar al-Assad forces began fighting opposition groups from multiple fronts in the rebel-held enclave near Damascus on Sunday morning. The Syrian warplanes continued shelling for the eighth consecutive day.

In February last year, Western countries, especially US administration, were stepping up campaign against Syria’s suspected use of chemical welfare. Washington had accused Damascus regime of developing “new kind of weapons” tom deliver deadly toxins. They alleged Damascus for using sarin gas causing 80 deaths in March 2016. Damascus denied the allegations.

Related Topics:Russia Syria US Washington

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Trump rejects Iran’s 7-day peace plan, says deal can come after US polls

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s seven-day proposal to end hostilities and indicated that a deal could come after the US midterm elections in November.

Published

4 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict, while indicating that a possible agreement could come after the US midterm elections in November.

Iran had proposed a seven-day framework under which hostilities could be brought to an end, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and negotiations over its nuclear programme could resume.

Iran’s seven-day proposal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had put forward the proposal through intermediaries. Under the plan, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened by the end of the seventh day if specified conditions were met, while broader nuclear discussions would restart.

The proposal was based largely on an earlier understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, but Iran sought to implement the latest framework much faster. The earlier arrangement had provided a longer period for negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway for global energy shipments, making its reopening a key element of any effort to ease the wider conflict.

Trump points to US midterm elections

Trump, speaking at the United Nations, showed no indication that he was ready to immediately resume negotiations on the terms proposed by Tehran.

He called for the economic isolation of Iran and said he believed a deal could be reached after the US midterm elections in November. Trump also said Iran was waiting to see how he performed in the midterm elections.

The remarks came as Iranian officials signalled that they remained open to diplomacy and described the UN General Assembly as an opportunity to revive negotiations.

Nuclear talks remain part of Iran proposal

Iran’s latest plan links the easing of hostilities with the resumption of negotiations over its nuclear programme.

The proposal follows the collapse of an earlier US-Iran arrangement. According to reporting on the latest proposal, the new framework is intended to compress the timeline for implementing commitments that had previously been discussed by the two sides.

For now, Trump’s remarks indicate that Washington is not accepting Tehran’s seven-day framework as presented, while Iran continues to put diplomacy and negotiations forward as part of its proposal.

Latest world news

Iranian President Pezeshkian at UN says Iranians have been victims of US terrorism

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at the UN General Assembly that Iranians had been victims of US terrorism and insisted that Iran had acted in self-defence.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of subjecting Iranians to what he described as terrorism while addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Pezeshkian said Iran had defended itself against attacks and rejected the characterisation of the country as a terrorist actor. His remarks came during a rare wartime appearance at the UN as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high.

Pezeshkian accuses US and Israel of attacks

Speaking at the General Assembly, Pezeshkian said Iranian civilians had been targeted by attacks and described the actions against his country as aggression.

“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” he said, according to the report.

Pezeshkian also accused the United States and Israel of attacking Iran, while maintaining that Tehran’s response was an act of self-defence.

The Iranian president displayed photographs of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolchildren who, according to his account, were killed during the early days of the conflict.

Iran’s message at the UN

Pezeshkian’s address came against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and heightened tensions in the region.

Iranian officials had indicated ahead of the UN visit that they intended to highlight what Tehran considers attacks against its people and raise concerns over the international response to the conflict.

The Iranian delegation’s visit to New York also comes amid restrictions imposed by the United States on the delegation’s movement and other aspects of its stay, according to reporting ahead of the address.

Pezeshkian says Iran defended itself

Pezeshkian’s central message at the UN was that Iran’s military actions should be viewed as a response to attacks rather than terrorism.

His description of the conflict and the allegations against the United States and Israel represent the Iranian government’s position. They should therefore be attributed to Pezeshkian rather than presented as independently established facts.

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PM Modi’s Canada visit could help wrap trade talks, says Canada PM Mark Carney

Canadian PM Mark Carney said he is looking forward to hosting PM Narendra Modi, with both countries aiming to conclude their ongoing trade negotiations.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he is looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India and Canada continue efforts to advance their bilateral relationship and conclude ongoing trade negotiations.

The two countries have been working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both sides previously setting a target to conclude the negotiations in 2026.

Carney and Modi have held discussions on strengthening economic ties between India and Canada, including trade and investment. Their engagement has gained momentum following Carney’s visit to India earlier this year.

India-Canada trade talks

India and Canada formally resumed efforts towards a broader trade agreement after a period of strained bilateral ties. The two sides have committed to advancing negotiations on a CEPA covering their economic relationship.

In June, Carney and Modi reviewed progress in bilateral economic cooperation during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. They expressed satisfaction with the progress in CEPA negotiations and reaffirmed their shared objective of concluding the talks in 2026.

During Carney’s visit to India in March, the two leaders had also agreed to accelerate negotiations on the CEPA and work towards finalising the agreement during 2026.

Modi’s proposed Canada visit

Carney had invited PM Modi to visit Canada in 2026, and the two leaders agreed to remain engaged through diplomatic channels to work towards a mutually convenient date for the visit.

The proposed visit comes as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to build on renewed diplomatic and economic engagement, with trade negotiations remaining a key part of the relationship.

The focus on completing the trade talks comes as both countries look to expand commercial ties and establish a broader economic framework through the proposed CEPA.