The State Department on Tuesday expressed concern about Iran’s participation in the Astana negotiations as a backer of the cease-fire.

:: The State Department on Tuesday expressed concern about Iran’s participation in the Astana negotiations as a backer of the cease-fire and noted that Tehran’s support for Assad increases the severity of the conflict and the suffering of the Syrians.

This comes as a preliminary consultation tour begins in the Kazakh capital of Astana between the representatives of Russia, Iran and Turkey, the day before the start of the sixth round of negotiations on Syria.

Representatives of the three countries will discuss demarcation of the area and tension relief in the city of Idlib and its surroundings.

The US State Department announced earlier that a delegation from Washington would travel to Astana to participate as observers in the Astana 6 negotiations on Syria, which will be held on 14 and 15 September.