The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, and Syria have met in the Iraqi capital Baghdad to discuss the latest developments in Syria.
Talks began on Friday afternoon at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry building with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, and Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh exchanging views on the situation in Syria.
Speaking to reporters, Araghchi said the unfolding developments in the Arab country necessitate protracted and serious negotiations.
He emphasized that his visit to Baghdad comes as part of his regional tour addressing the recent uptick in acts of terror in northwestern Syria.
Araghchi said the status quo in West Asia, particularly in Syria, is very sensitive, requiring consultations and coordination among all concerned countries.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani later received Araghchi, saying Iraq's official and consistent position is to support Syria's unity, security, and stability.
Sudani said Iraq continues to make vigorous diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis in Syria due to the direct impact which it has on its security.
"What is happening in Syria is inseparable from the events that took place in Gaza and Lebanon, which have threatened the security and stability of the region," he said.
Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq described Araghchi's visit as a regional coordination effort to counteract the “wave of terrorism planned by the United States and the Zionist entity”.
“The more coordination and cooperation between the countries of the region, the more limited the scope of the crisis in Syria will naturally be,” Al-e Sadeq wrote in a post published on his official X account.
Earlier this week, Araghchi traveled to Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, reaffirming Iran's commitment to supporting Syria in its fight against terrorism.
He also visited Ankara, where discussions with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan focused on counterterrorism efforts and the broader impact of instability in Syria.
Foreign-backed armed opposition groups led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) Takfiri group carried out a surprise assault in the Aleppo and Idlib countryside last month, and overran a number of villages and towns before entering Aleppo on November 27.
Syria has been gripped by foreign-sponsored militancy since March 2011, with Damascus saying the Western states and their regional allies are aiding terrorist groups to wreak havoc in the Arab country.