Russia, Iran, Turkey presidents meet over Syria crisis

The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey met yesterday in Tehran to discuss the war in Syria, with all eyes on a possible military offensive to retake the last rebel-held bastion of Idlib.

The summit between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may determine whether diplomacy halts any military action. Even before it began, an airstrike early yesterday struck Idlib’s southern edge, killing at least one person.

The leaders each held bilateral talks before the meeting began in Tehran. As photographers took pictures of the three leaders Rouhani, smiling, reached for both of their hands. Erdogan said at the meeting that an attack on Idlib would result in a disaster and massacre and that millions of people would be moving towards the Turkish border in the case that an attack took place. Erdogan continued by saying that a rational solution in Idlib that will address everyone’s concerns needs to found.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Syrian government should restore control over all of its territory.