Talks on Syria political settlement resume in Astana, Kazakhstan

Negotiators from Iran, Russia, and Turkey gathered in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana on Monday, hoping to make progress on a political settlement in Syria. The two-day talks are the first time the three powers have met since Iran and Israel became embroiled in a spat over reported cross-border military strikes last week. It is also the first meeting of the three sides since US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal earlier this month. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed delegations from the three power-brokers and the Syrian government had arrived in the capital and were locked in closed-door talks. A rebel delegation was expected to arrive late Monday ahead of Tuesday’s plenary session concluding the meeting, AFP reports.