Iran’s Zarif Urges Deeds Not Words on Syria, Yemen

“Talk is cheap at the UNSC (United Nations Security Council),” Zarif posted on his Twitter account on Monday.

He added that “ceasefire, aid and inclusive political settlement” are the only ways to settle the Yemeni and Syrian crises.

 

The Iranian foreign minister expressed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to help solve the conflicts but rhetorically asked, “Are others too?”

Zarif’s tweet came after the UN Security Council held a crisis meeting Sunday to discuss the critical situation in Syria’s northwestern city of Aleppo. At the meeting, diplomats exchanged blame and fierce words.

Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, has been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and foreign-backed terrorists in the east, making it a frontline battleground.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. Over the past few months, the Takfiri militants active in the Arab country have suffered major setbacks as the Syrian army has managed to liberate several areas.

Saudi Arabia has been incessantly pounding Yemen since March 2015, with the UN putting the toll at around 10,000. The offensive was launched to reinstate Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a Saudi ally who has resigned as Yemen’s president.

Iran, Russia Urge Aid to Syria

Meanwhile, deputy foreign ministers of Iran and Russia on Monday stressed the importance of accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to conflict zones in Syria.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov made the call in a telephone conversation.

The two top diplomats exchanged views about the latest developments in Syria, particularly the situation in Aleppo.

A week-long truce, brokered by Russia and the US, came to an end across Syria on September 19.

Damascus refused to extend the deal after its military base was hit by US-led airstrikes near the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr in violation of the agreement.

The air raids, which left more than 80 Syrian troops dead and some 100 others wounded, paved the way for the Takfiri militants to make some gains in the area.