Tehran Dispatches Araghchi to Damascus and Ankara Amid Rapid Developments in Aleppo

Tehran Dispatches Araghchi to Damascus and Ankara Amid Rapid Developments in Aleppo
The targeting of the Iranian consulate in Aleppo indicates a qualitative shift in the confrontation, as Iranian interests have become a direct target for armed factions
November 30, 2024, 8:37 pm

عباس عراقجي

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi begins a shuttle diplomatic tour Sunday, starting from Damascus, following the control of "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" and its allies over most of the strategic city of Aleppo, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's announcement on Saturday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated that Araghchi "will head to Damascus on Sunday for talks with Syrian authorities," before moving to Turkey for "consultations on regional issues, especially recent developments."

Turkish diplomatic sources earlier highlighted Araghchi's planned visit to Ankara next Monday, coinciding with an attack on the Iranian consulate in Aleppo by "terrorist elements" according to Tehran's statements.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed its condemnation of the "aggression" against its consulate headquarters in Aleppo, confirming the safety of its diplomatic staff, where Baghaei emphasized that "the Consul General and all Iranian consulate staff in Aleppo are safe." Tehran vowed to respond to what it described as a "terrorist attack" targeting its diplomatic mission in Aleppo.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry's position rejecting the field developments took precedence, considering that the events in Aleppo, Idlib, and their surroundings violate the Astana de-escalation agreement, describing the military movements as "part of an American-Israeli plan to destabilize the region."

The Iranian role has been prominently visible in Syria during the past years, alongside Russia and Lebanese Hezbollah, in supporting the Syrian regime throughout the war years.

In early April, an Israeli airstrike targeted the building attached to the Iranian consulate near the embassy in Damascus, resulting in the death of 16 people, including a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force.

Levant-Agencies

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Facilities Amid Ceasefire Violation Claims Gaza.. New Egyptian Efforts to Crystallize Prisoner Exchange Agreement and End War