Alwaght- Defense Ministers of Syria, Iran and Russia met in Tehran on Thursday to discuss issues related to combating terrorism in Syria and the West Asia region.
The meeting was attended by the host, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and his counterparts, Lieutenant General Sergei Shoigu of Russia and Major General Fahad Jassim Freij of Syria.
In his remarks during the meeting, Deqhan said that Iran considers struggle against terrorism to be its duty and its mission. "The aggressive policy based on hegemony, which is being pursued by the United States, Israel and some other countries, which patronize terrorism, stands behind the current regional crisis. Iran has always been and remains a reliable anchor of regional security that has always been opposed to violence, aggression, terror and terrorism.
For the purpose of restoring peace and security in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran is waging an irreconcilable struggle against terrorism and considers it to be its duty and its mission," Dehqan said in a speech, the text of which has been distributed by Iran’s Defense Ministry.
As for Syria, he emphasized that Iran had always favored a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis through inter-Syrian talks.
"Iran backed the truce in Syria but only on condition that it will not contribute to the strengthening of terrorist groups," Dehqan said.
"A crisis settlement in any country - be it Syria, Iraq, Yemen or any other state - lies through a resolute and unconditional struggle against terrorism and through curbing the channels of financial and political support [for terrorism] up to its full eradication. Only then, a calm situation in which the peoples of those countries can themselves determine their political future," Dehqan added.
He accused Saudi Arabia and Israel of patronizing terrorism. He warned that allied relations with the enemies of Muslims might have most dangerous consequences for the Saudi authorities. Iran’s defense minister called for taking resolute, quick, all-embracing and comprehensive counter-terrorism measures.
Dehqan urged the groups and movements operating in Syria to heed the requests of the Syrian people and sit down to talks with the country’s legitimate authorities.
"Joint efforts are the only way to establish peace and stability and give a rebuff to terrorism," the Iranian defense minister stressed.
Iran’s defense minister thanked his Russian and Syrian counterparts for participation in Thursday’s meeting in Teheran. "Hopefully, we will be able to exchange our views, coordinate our efforts and make joint decisions in future in order to gain the final victory over terrorism," he concluded.
Syrian Defense Minister Fahd Jassem al-Freij said during the meeting that Syria is determined to strike terrorism everywhere on its land “with valor and determination”, backed by friends and allies.
“For over five years Syria has been confronting Takfiri terrorism led by the US which exerted immense efforts to fight Syria, making it imperative for us to confront terrorism,” he added.
He expressed appreciation for the support of the Iranian and Russian friends, voicing confidence in Syria’s victory over terrorism which will mark an end of terrorism in the entire region.
Al-Freij described the results of an earlier meeting he held with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu as “excellent”, adding that a recent array of measures is expected to yield even better results.
The Syrian defense minister and his Russian counterpart said their viewpoints matched regarding the necessity of bolstering their joint counterterrorism efforts, calling for more coordination against this ominous phenomenon.
Shoygu said terrorism is a problem jeopardizing the entire world which necessitates high-level coordination against it, disclosing that intensive meetings were held with the Syrian side in which future goals and plans were outlined.
A Russian Defense ministry statement said talking points were "priority measures in reinforcing the cooperation" between the defense ministries of the three countries in the fight with ISIS and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups.
The visit of Russia's defense minister to Tehran comes after Moscow's pledge to step up its airstrikes against Takfiri forces in and around Aleppo.
Iran and Russia are Syria's main allies against the various foreign-backed armed groups fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad, including Daesh terrorists.
Moscow has sent warplanes and special forces in support of Syrian troops, while Tehran has deployed military advisers and trained and equipped pro-government militias.
Earlier, Minister al-Freij held a session of talks with his Iranian counterpart that focused on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern.
During the meeting, al-Freij slammed US and Turkish support for terrorists, adding that some Gulf States speak of fraternal ties binding them with the Syrian people as they overtly patronize terrorist organizations committing heinous crimes against Syrians.
He vowed that the Syrian state is determined to eliminate terrorism with the help of friends and allies.
For his part, the Iranian minister said Iran is supporting Syria at the request of the Syrian legitimate government, hoping that the axis of resistance will continue to score significant wins.
