Bloomberg admitted the deterioration of Russia’s relations with Iran over Syria – RBC

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Vladimir Putin’s decision to withdraw the bulk of the military group of Syria may lead to a cooling of relations between Russia and Iran. This option allows the agency Bloomberg

The official Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called Russia’s decision to withdraw some military group from Syria, “a positive sign”, testifying to the faith in a truce, which operates the last three weeks. However, pro-Iranian regional newspapers, which, as noted by Bloomberg, is a barometer of sentiment in Tehran believe that Moscow’s actions jeopardize recent achievements of the army of Bashar al-Assad and may force Iran to also withdraw its troops from Syria.

« For Iran, the incident was a complete surprise “, – said the head of the Center for contemporary Iranian Studies in Moscow, Rajab Safarov, who, as the agency, there are close contacts in the government in Tehran. “It is clear that the withdrawal of Russian troops would weaken the position of Bashar al-Assad in future negotiations with the opposition”, -. Added the political scientist

According to Safarov, in Iran are seriously worried that Russia considers “radical” the outcome of events in Syria. “For Tehran, Syria without Bashar al-Assad is not Syria,” – he said

According to Bloomberg analysts, the growing desire of Russia to a diplomatic resolution of the Syrian conflict could drive a wedge in relations with Iran, as Tehran does not want to weaken Assad. and wants to preserve its influence in Syria.

The publication points out that despite the support of the government army pro-Iranian movement “Hezbollah”, it was after the intervention of Russian VKS army seized the initiative in the war, she seemed to lose.

Vladimir Putin’s surprise decision was for the official representatives of the Syrian government (their names are not called), said this in an interview with As-Safir Lebanese newspaper that supports the current government in Damascus, the agency points out. They noted that the withdrawal of Russian troops was announced at a time when the Syrian army approached the city of Palmyra, the captured militants “Islamic State” (banned in Russia a terrorist organization). In the interview they criticized the agreement between Russia and the United States, which, in their opinion, have weakened the pressure on the opposition.

March 14 Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order to start from March 15, the main body of troops withdrawal from Syria. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Defense has begun to redeploy troops, the first aircraft have already arrived in Voronezh.

However, the Defense Ministry said that the Russian aviation group in Syria will continue to strike targets of terrorists.

Since the beginning Russian operations VCS Syrian government army occupied almost entirely occupied province of Latakia, as well as significant progress in the area of ​​Hama, Homs, Aleppo and south of Damascus. The army of Bashar Assad to reconnect with terrorists besieged enclaves and prevent the capture of terrorists IG town of Deir ez-Zor.