Russia's Putin discusses situation in Syria with Iranian counterpart

In a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday discussed the ongoing situation in Syria with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

A statement by the Kremlin said that the talks between Putin and Pezeshkian, which it said took place at Tehran's initiative, conveyed “unconditional support” for the actions undertaken by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime to "restore constitutional order."

The statement said the two presidents underlined the importance of coordinating efforts within the framework of talks held in the Astana format with Türkiye's participation.

It added that the talks also addressed issues in the development of bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran in various areas, including taking into account Putin and Pezeshkian's agreements following talks in October.

The leaders held talks on Oct. 23, on the sidelines of the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

“A plan has been outlined for further contacts between the two leaders at other levels,” the Kremlin statement added.

Clashes broke out last week between Assad regime forces and armed opposition groups in rural areas of the major Syrian city of Aleppo, marking a re-escalation of the fighting after a period of relative calm in the country's civil war, which broke out in 2011.