Anti-ISIL Coalition Formed to Justify US Meddling in Syria, Iraq, Says Seddiqi

TEHRAN –Tehran’s Provisional Friday Prayers Leader Hojjatoleslam Kazzem Seddiqi underlined that the US-led coalition against the ISIL terrorist group is politically-tainted and is aimed at enhancing Washington’s influence in Iraq and Syria, FNA reported.

Seddiqi told worshippers at the weekly Friday Prayers in the Iranian capital, Tehran, that the so-called anti-ISIL coalition is not, in fact, working against the Takfiri terrorist group, but only aims to undercut the governments in Baghdad and Damascus.

“The coalition between the United States and some Arab countries (formed) under the guise of countering terrorists…is a blatant and clumsy deception,” said the senior religious figure, adding, “We seriously disavow the alliance.”

Seddiqi further slammed recent calls for a no-fly zone over Syria, saying the so-called anti-ISIL coalition is after weakening the Syrian Air Force.

In September, Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council (EC) Mohsen Rezayee underlined that the US is showing off with its so-called fight against terrorism in the region and its airstrikes on the ISIL terrorist group in Iraq are aimed at securing Washington’s own interests in the Middle-East.

“We suspect the US intentions, the coalition and its formation,” Rezayee told reporters last Wednesday.

After the so-called US-led coalition against the ISIL declared its creation, Iran lashed out at the western states for pursuing a double-standard policy towards campaign against terrorism in various countries.

Iran warns against repercussions of double standard policy on terrorism

On the other hand, representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the UN Hossein Qaribi urged certain world states and international bodies to avoid adopting dual-track approaches to terrorism in different countries.

In an address to the UN General Assembly’s 6th committee, Qaribi called on the global community to take a unified stance towards fighting terrorism.

“State terrorism continues to endanger peace, security and basic human rights of people … state terrorism apparently targets civilian population and deliberately attacks women and children sheltered in recognized protected places to break their determination in order to advance its repressive policies,” he said.

Qaribi stressed Iran’s call for a unified and comprehensive approach in countering terrorism as opposed to a selective one.

 “We still face a big challenge in countering terrorism; (that is) double standards and selective approaches in dealing with terrorism. Such ill approaches, we warn, would undermine international trust and cooperating in countering terrorism worldwide. We need a united international community in fighting this scourge in an indiscriminate manner,” the Iranian envoy added.

Qaribi described Iran as a victim of terrorism, adding that the Islamic Republic is still suffering from terrorist attacks in different forms, including state terrorism.

R.S