Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi has expressed willingness to consider troop deployments to Syria if requested by the Syrian government, in response to the advancing jihadists in northern Syria. This marks the first clear indication of direct Iranian military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces since the offensive began. Meanwhile, discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted the need to restore constitutional order in Syria amidst escalating tensions. US troops in Syria have also acted defensively against perceived threats.