Iran, Russia present in Syria upon request: Envoy

Moscow– Iran’s presence in Syria, similar to that of Russian military forces, is upon a request by Damascus to contribute to fighting terrorism, Russian envoy said.

Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan said that Iran’s presence in Syria is legal, the Russian daily Kommersant cited him as saying.

‘The Iranians are there, as well as the Russian military, at the invitation of the legitimate government of the Syrian Arab Republic and participate in the operation to destroy the terrorists,’ he said, IRNA reported.

The Russian envoy also noted that the Russians are concerned over possible confrontation between Iran and the Zionist regime of Israel.

‘Sometimes do conflicts arise, and we are naturally concerned about the possibility of military confrontation between the Iranian and Israeli forces in Syria. Do everything possible to prevent it. To prevent the spread of the conflict,’ he said.

The Russian diplomat emphasized that both Moscow and European capitals are ready to defend Iran’s right to do business in face of the US sanctions.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, France, Britain, China, and Russia) plus Germany signed the nuclear deal in 2015. Iran accepted to curb its nuclear program in exchange for economic sanctions relief.

The US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in May, calling it the worst deal ever. Washington has also re-imposed the economic sanctions the first set of which will take effect on August 6.

Referring to some major projects shared by Iran and Russia, the envoy said the economic and trade relations between the two countries will be boosted, adding that under the current conditions, despite the US sanctions, there is no obstacle on the path of implementing the joint projects and they are in progress as normal.

Commenting on the future of oil deal with Iran, he said, ‘We do not accept unilateral sanctions by Iran, as we see them illegal.’

Tehran has been committed to its obligations under the deal, and the international watchdog has confirmed it repeatedly, he said.

M.Wassouf