Strong political will of Moscow and Washington could pave the way toward a lasting ceasefire in Syria, Iran's deputy foreign minister said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A long-lasting cessation of hostilities in war-torn Syria is possible to achieve with strong political will and cooperation between Moscow and Washington, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari said Thursday. "We think that if there is a strong will, clear policy of the Unites States with partnership of Russia and other countries, there is a possibility to reach a long-lasting ceasefire [in Syria] and a comprehensive opposition to extremists and terrorists," Ansari said during a press conference in Moscow. He added that Washington was still leading double games by backing the international fight against terrorism while sponsoring terrorist groups to reach its political goals.

On September 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry announced a new peace plan to address the five-year conflict in Syria that called for a ceasefire to come into force on Monday.

If the new ceasefire in Syria lasts for seven days, Washington and Moscow will work together to establish a Joint Implementation Center and carry out joint airstrikes against terrorists in the war-torn country, according to the deal.

By Sputnik