The Syrian regime reached a deal with the United Nations permitting evacuations of civilians from the besieged center of Homs followed by food deliveries to those who remain inside the rebel-held enclave.

The U.N. and Syrian allies Russia and Iran had been pressing the regime to make the concession as a show of good faith ahead of the next round of peace talks in Geneva. To secure the deal, U.N. envoys went to Tehran this week and met with Iranian and Syrian officials there.

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