The tripartite summit of the presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey concluded on Tuesday evening in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to discuss the Astana track on Syria, in addition to a number of issues, foremost of which are the developments of the Iranian nuclear file and Russia's war on Ukraine.

In his opening speech, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi considered the Astana process a successful framework for a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.

My president held the international community responsible for solving the crisis of the displaced and Syrian refugees, stressing his country's support for any initiative to solve their issue.

He also stressed that Syrian sovereignty is a red line, saying that the illegal American presence there is the cause of instability.

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin considered the summit an opportunity to hold an effective dialogue that would allow Syria to determine its future without outside interference.

Putin indicated that Moscow is concerned about the dangers of areas outside the control of the Syrian regime.

He said that we must make sure that the international community and the United Nations provide assistance to Syria without political goals or preconditions.


Turkish demands

As for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said that the Kurdish People's Protection Units are taking steps to divide Syria with foreign support, and that ridding the country of it would benefit the Syrian people.

Erdogan stressed his country's insistence on eradicating the hotbeds of terrorism in Syria, stressing that Ankara is waiting for support from Russia and Iran - as guarantors of the Astana track - in its struggle against terrorism in Syria.

He added that Russia and Iran understand Turkey's security concerns, but words are not enough, stressing that his country will continue its battle against the People's Protection Units and other militias, regardless of who supports them.

The Turkish President stressed that achieving progress in efforts for a political solution in Syria and that those who wish to return to their country will not be subjected to ill treatment are two main points to motivate the return of Syrians.

Turkey had announced its intention two months ago to launch a military operation in northern Syria in the areas controlled by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose backbone is the Kurdish fighters. The Turkish operation is supposed to extend to the Manbij and Tal Rifaat regions in the countryside of Aleppo Governorate, northern Syria.

On the other hand, Russia expressed its hope that Ankara would "refrain" from launching the attack, while Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian warned that a similar operation could "destabilize the security of the region."


agenda

The tripartite summit between the presidents, Putin and Erdogan was preceded by bilateral meetings between the presidents, in which a number of regional and international files were discussed.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian had said that the summit would give impetus to supporting relations and developing economic cooperation, as well as focusing on regional security and a political solution, while the Kremlin hoped to sign soon agreements with the Iranian side that include comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, a senior Turkish official told Reuters that the Turkish operation in northern Syria against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which is reportedly also backed by Russia, will be discussed.

He added that the talks will try to resolve issues related to grain exports, days before the signing of an expected agreement between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations to resume shipment of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea.