Iranian, Syrian FMs Confer on Strategic Ties on Phone
TEHRAN (Basirat): Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem in a phone conversation on Wednesday discussed the strategic relations between the two countries after the recent visit to Tehran by President Bashar al-Assad.
During the phone talks initiated by Zarif, the two top diplomats discussed means
of boosting the strategic relations between the two brotherly countries, and
followed up on the results of the historic visit paid by President Assad to Iran
on Monday.
President Assad arrived in Tehran on Monday and rushed to meet Supreme Leader of
the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Syrian nation’s resistance in
face of enemies’ plots, and said the key to Syria's victory as well as the
United States and its regional mercenaries' defeat is Syrian president and
people's resolve and resistance.
Stressing the necessity for prudence when encountering future plots, the leader
said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran regards helping the Syrian government and
nation as assisting the Resistance movement, and genuinely takes pride in it."
Pointing to the Islamic Republic of Iran's honest stance and staying by the
government and the people of Syria from the beginning of the crisis, Ayatollah
Khamenei added, "Syria, with its people's persistence and unity, managed to
stand strong against a big coalition of the US, Europe and their allies in the
region and victoriously come out of it."
Considering the victory of the resistance in Syria as the cause for the United
States of America’s anger their desperate efforts to hatch new plots, the
Supreme Leader made reference to an example and said, "The question of a buffer
zone in Syria that the Americans are trying to create is one of their dangerous
plots that must be firmly rejected and opposed."
He counted the US's plan for having an influential presence Iraq-Syria border as
another example of their plots, and said, "Iran and Syria are strategic allies
and the identity and power of Resistance depend on their continuous and
strategic alliance, because of which, the enemies will not be able to put their
plans into action."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to a calculation mistake that the enemies made with
regard to the matter of Syria, and stated, "Their mistake was that they took
Syria for some Arab states; whereas, (even) in those countries, the people’s
movement was in favor of the Resistance and in fact, there was an uprising
against the US and their mercenaries there."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also highlighted the need for strengthening
and developing the religious relations and exchange of religious scholars
between Iran and Syria. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the spirit of
resistance and enhancing the power of Syria’s nation and government, Ayatollah
Khamenei addressed Syria’s president, by saying "with the resistance you
manifested, you have become a hero in the Arab world; and the resistance has
gained more power and dignity, thanks to you."
Syria’s president referred to some analysis that regarded Syria as done, and
said, "Iran and Syria have nations who enjoy identity and faith; and today’s
achievements although gained by efforts and losses, are surely the outcomes of
persistence with the movement of Resistance.
Bashar Al-Assad reminded the huge losses that some countries underwent following
their surrendering to the US and stated, "Many countries were submissive to the
US and thought that the US determines the world’s fate and future; however
resistance by some nations disturbed this false perception."
Referring to cases of efforts made by US and allies in the region, trying to sow
discord among ethnic and religious groups in Syria, the President of Syria went
on to say, "These efforts have had reverse results, and today in Syria, the
Kurds and nomads have good relations with the government and even some groups
that previously had some conflicts and differences with the government, are
today cooperating with it, despite what the US and Saudi Arabia desired."
Assad called strengthening the ties between Syrian and Iranian scholars as an
important opportunity for countering Takfiri groups, and maintained, "Iran and
Syria should continuously develop their economic relations; because developments
of relations will act as an important factor in annulling the enemies’ plots
against the two nations."
Also in his meeting with Assad, President Rouhani referred to Iran's seriousness
for cooperation and helping the Syrian government in the process of
reconstruction of Syria and consolidating security and peace in the country,
adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will stand by the Syrian government and
people like before."
Source:FNA