A high-ranking diplomat said Iran welcomes a US-Russia deal for a truce in Syria, saying Tehran has always believed that the Syrian crisis has no military solution and should end through peaceful means.
"Iran welcomes any truce and peace plan that ends or limits the humanitarian crisis in Syria and ensures the political settlement of the conflict based on the votes of the Syrian nation for determining their destiny," Hossein Jaberi Ansari, deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs, made the statement in Mashhad on Sunday, IRNA reported.
The agreement on a nationwide ceasefire in Syria was announced early Saturday by the powers that back opposing sides in the five-year-old conflict.
It was to commence with the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Monday and includes improving humanitarian aid access and a joint military operation against terrorist groups.
According to the deal, all attacks and airstrikes will be stopped and unobstructed access will be allowed to besieged areas, including the northern city of Aleppo.
Ansari warned that agreements among regional or international players should not deny the right of the Syrian people to shape their future.
"Any solution should pave the way for the Syrian nation to end the conflict," he said.
The diplomat noted that Iran will continue to engage in close consultations with major players, including Turkey, on settling the Syria conflict.
"We will maintain cooperation with Turkey and try to prepare the ground for common understanding on basic principles for [resolving] regional issues, especially Syria," he said.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi also welcomed the deal on Sunday, but cautioned that it should not become "an opportunity for transferring militants or sending weapons to terrorist groups".
"A lasting ceasefire will require a comprehensive mechanism to monitor the situation and control the borders to prevent the inflow of new fighters, arms or financial resources into Syria," he said.
Iran, a major regional ally of Syria, provides advisory services to the Syrian Army in its fight against militant groups fighting to topple the government.
