PHOTO: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari and Russian counterpart Mikhail Bogdanov

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    Amid a tenuous ceasefire across Syria, Iran has conferred with Russia about the next steps in the 5 1/2-year conflict in the country.

    Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari concluded a three-day visit to Moscow on Thursday, including meetings with President Vladimir Putin’s top official for Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

    Iran and Russia are the two essential allies of Syria’s Assad regime. Moscow has also been pursuing bilateral discussions with the US, leading to the start of the ceasefire on Monday night. However, there are widespread doubts that the truce will hold, with both pro-Assad forces and rebels reportedly preparing for renewed offensives.

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    No details were given of the Iranian-Russian talks, as Jaberi Ansari said in his final press conference, “Iran views negotiation as the sole way out of the Middle East crises and the political strategy of the Islamic Republic will continue in this path.”

    He emphasized that regular consultations between Tehran and Moscow are “more urgent than ever”.

    A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said the two diplomats had exchanged views on the situation in Syria after the ceasefire and the fight against “terrorist groups” as well as on access to humanitarian aid. The Ministry called for the resumption of political talks as soon as possible.

    Iran Lobbies Britain for Removal of Banking Restrictions

    Iran has appealed to Britain for the removal of banking restrictions that have persisted despite implementation of the July 2015 nuclear deal.

    The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, met British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond on Thursday evening in London.

    European banks and companies have been wary about restoring links with Tehran, in part because of fear of US punishment, in part because of issues over the Iranian banking system and regulation.

    The US has already said that Iran will not be given access to the American financial system, although Washington has said there are no barriers to Tehran’s return to the global system.

    Salehi told Iranian State outlet IRNA:

    I assumed that [Hammond] is doing his best to find way out of the current problems.

    We discussed the issue very deeply. Prior to reaching any concrete agreement, we [cannot] unveil it but we can say that negotiations to his end are underway and they are serious to resolve the issue.