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Russia’s decision to withdraw its troops from Syria is a positive sign, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said, while warning it is too early to judge whether the start of peace talks means the conflict has turned a corner, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The fact that Russia announced they are withdrawing part of its forces indicates that they don’t see an imminent need for resort to force in maintaining the cease-fire,” said Mr. Zarif, as quoted by the source.

“That in and of itself could be a positive sign. We have to wait and see,” the minister concluded.

Meanwhile the US President Barack Obama welcomed Russia’s decision.

"President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss progress on the implementation of the nationwide Cessation of Hostilities between the Syrian regime and its allies on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other," the White House statement said, adding that " (the Presidents) discussed President Putin’s announcement today of a partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria and next steps required to fully implement the cessation of hostilities with the goal of advancing the political negotiations on resolution of the conflict."

"President Obama welcomed the much-needed reduction in violence since the beginning of the cessation, but stressed that continuing offensive actions by Syrian regime forces risk undermining both the Cessation of Hostilities and the UN-led political process," the White House statement read.

As reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the "main part" of its forces in Syria from Tuesday. As a reason for the move Vladimir Putin has indicated that Russian mission “had largely achieved its objectives in Syria.”