Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that representatives from Iran, Russia, and Turkey—the guarantors of the Astana process—will convene on the sidelines of the Doha Forum on December 7-8. However, Qatar will not be participating in these discussions.
Araghchi clarified, “While the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey are attending the Doha Forum, Qatar will not be involved in the Astana process talks taking place there.” This statement was reported by Iran’s state broadcaster.
The Iranian foreign minister also announced plans for a working visit to Baghdad on December 6, where he is set to hold talks with Iraqi officials amid the growing tensions in Syria.
Earlier, on December 2, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed a commitment to revitalizing the Astana format, proposing a ministerial meeting involving Turkey, Russia, and Iran to address the Syrian crisis. Araghchi later suggested that representatives from Russia, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey might meet in Doha to discuss Syria. According to the Iranian news agency Fars, this meeting could occur at the ministerial level during the Doha Forum. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that arrangements for a meeting in the Astana format were under consideration.
However, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that Doha had not confirmed its involvement in such a meeting but expressed openness to facilitating cooperation on Syria-related matters.
The planned talks come amid rising tensions in Syria. On November 27, extremist groups linked to Jabhat al-Nusra (banned in Russia) launched a major offensive on Aleppo and other northern regions under government control. On November 30, Syrian military officials announced a regrouping of forces to protect civilians and soldiers while preparing for a counteroffensive.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS