Neither Russia nor US can decide on Iran’s presence in Syria

Mehr News Agency – The Iranian Parliament Director General for International Affairs Amir-Abdollahian says that neither Russians nor Americans are in a position to decide on Iran’s presence in Syria. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in during a talks show on Tehran-based Arabic language Al-Kawthar TV on Monday evening.

Amir-Abdollahian underlined that Iranian military advisors are in Syria upon the Syrian officials, especially President Bash Assad’s request, adding that Iran has so far told the Russian officials that its presence is Syrian is within the framework of Tehran-Damascus bilateral relations.

The Iranian parliamentary official further pointed out that Iran will continue its support for Syrian government in the fight against terrorism and will remain there until security and peace have returned to the war-torn country.

“We believe that neither Russians nor Europeans are in a position to decide on the withdrawal of Iran military advisors from Syria,” Amir-Abdollahian noted in reactions to rumors that Moscow had asked Tehran to leave Syria upon Israel’s request.

The Iranian official further said that the Israeli regime used the neighboring countries’ soil to conduct terror acts in Iran and martyred theIranian nuclear scientists, stressing the Islamic Republic can develop bilateral relations with any country if that country’s officials agree despite the Israeli regime’s opposition.

With regard to alleged secret negotiations between Iran and the United States administration and even the Zionist regime of Israel, Amir-Abdollahian strongly rejected the rumors as ‘absolutely false,’ stressing the Islamic Republic’s constant policy since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 has been not to recognize the occupying regime of Israel.

However, referring to the possibility of negotiations with the United States, he said that Iran is not opposed to negotiations with the country if the the talks are based on mutual respect and the Americans abide by their commitments.

Meanwhile, he said that the Americans even during Obama’s presidency showed that they were not serious about the talks with Tehran and after Trump came to power, the United States once again proved that it does not seek relations with Iran.

Amir-Abodllahian further added “now, the two countries have the worst relations, and any signal that the United States sends from time to time to Iran faces Iran’s negative response as it is full of distrust in the Americans.”

The Iranian Parliament Director General for International Affairs further pointed to the crisis in Yemen, reiterating call on the Saudis that there is no military solution to the problem.