UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says he and an Iranian diplomat have agreed that steps toward political transition in Syria are "crucially urgent."
De Mistura’s office announced the development after the UN envoy met in Tehran on April 12 with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The UN envoy arrived in Tehran after holding meetings in Damascus on April 11 with Syria's foreign minister.
De Mistura said Tehran was “happy to see that we are approaching a political solution to this crisis” ahead of talks due to resume in Geneva on April 13.
Amir-Abdollahian told reporters in Tehran after the talks that he had voiced concern about an increasing number of cease-fire violations in Syria that could negatively impact the peace talks.
The United States also has expressed concern at the recent increase in violence, but blamed the cease-fire violations on Syrian government forces that are backed by Iran.