US-led Coalition Defeat in Syria Undeniable Reality

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has hailed Iran-Russia cooperation in the fight against Takfiri terrorists in Syria, saying the defeat of the US-led coalition in the Arab country is “an undeniable reality.”

 “The defeat of US-led coalition supporting terrorists in Syria is an undeniable reality, but they keep hatching plots,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tehran on Wednesday.

During the meeting, which lasted over an hour, the Leader stressed the solution of the Syria crisis requires continued cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, according to Press TV.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran-Russia cooperation in battling Takfiri terrorists backed by certain countries has had important outcomes, making Russia an “influential” player in the developments of West Asia.

 Syrians are ultimate decision-makers regarding their country’s issues

The Leader noted that the Syrian people are the ultimate decision-makers regarding their country’s issues, noting that all issues pertaining to the Damascus government should be solved based on intra-Syrian efforts, and the Syrian government should not be “pressured” into implementing “any plans,” which he said need to be as “comprehensive” as possible.

On the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Leader pointed to the Russian president’s emphasis on the need for compliance with any multilateral agreement and criticized the US for adopting a “rebellious” approach in this regard.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for regional countries to resolve their issues without any foreign interference, saying “Americans seek to interfere in all issues of the region and the world.”

Saudi Commits Daily Crimes in Yemen

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader pointed to Saudi’s crimes committed on a daily basis in Yemen and warned that the war could result in Riyadh getting entangled in other deeper crises.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran and Russia could neutralize US sanctions by ditching dollar in bilateral and multilateral trade and using their national currencies instead. The Leader said Iran and Russia should further develop cooperation particularly in economy, saying the economic capacities of the two countries are well beyond the current level.

‘Iran a strategic partner’

The Russian president, for his part, described Iran as “a strategic partner” and a “great neighbor,” stressing that he would welcome any potential to fully bolster and expand bilateral relations.

Putin said Iran and Russia could boost their ties in the sectors of energy, modern technology, agriculture as well as joint oil and gas projects.    

Broaching the war in Syria, Putin hailed the achievements of the Iran-Russia cooperation in the war against terrorism, calling for “a suitable political process to be considered in the Arab country.”

 Lauding the Leader’s stance on achieving shared objectives in Syria as wise and very effective, the Russian president said, “We proved to the world that we are able to resolve our region’s highly important issues without [any help from] extra-regional countries.”

On the Iran nuclear deal, Putin said that Russia “opposed any unilateral change in the multilateral deal.”

He also said that Russia was against linking Iran’s nuclear program with other issues, including those related to the country’s defensive capabilities.

Tehran-Moscow Cooperation Key to Settling Tensions, Including Crisis in Syria

 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stressed that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow has made a considerable contribution to the anti-terror campaign in the region, and underlined the need for keeping consultations and cooperation in the final stages of battling terrorism.

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tehran on Wednesday, Rouhani said that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was key to settling tensions, including the crisis in Syria.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran deems instability to be detrimental to all countries, and supports promotion of stability and security in the region.

Cooperation between Iran and Russia has been proven to consolidate peace and security in Syria, he said.

Russia Plays Leading Role in Safeguarding Iran Nuclear Deal

Rouhani underlined Russia’s role in safeguarding the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

 “Russia plays a significant and instrumental role in reinforcing and safeguarding the JCPOA and [ensuring] the implementation of the deal by all sides,” Rouhani said.

He highlighted the JCPOA as a multilateral agreement, saying protecting the deal would contribute to peace and stability in the region and across the world.

Describing Russia “as a strategic partner, friend and neighbor,” Rouhani also called for further expansion of economic and trade ties with Moscow, adding that Tehran welcomed investment of Russia’s private sectors in projects aimed at developing Iran’s infrastructure, including in the energy, industries and transportation sectors.

Putin, for his part, said Iran and Russia maintained good cooperation in the fields of energy, economy, peaceful nuclear energy and transportation.

The Russian president said that Russian companies were keen to join development projects and that Moscow saw no limit to the expansion of relations with Tehran.

He also described the JCPOA as a good agreement that helps global peace and stability, and described “some countries'” refusal to remain committed to the terms of the nuclear agreement as “unacceptable”.

“Unilateral dismantling of the JCPOA under any pretext is not acceptable,” Putin added.

The Russian president also said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was the only body entrusted with verifying Iran’s commitment to the deal.

He also underlined the need for Iran, Russia and Turkey to continue cooperation on Syria within the framework of the Astana talks aimed at ending the crisis in the Arab country.

Leaders of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan Hold Presser

In the same context, Presidents Hassan Rouhani of Iran, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a trilateral meeting in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in different domains, mainly ensuring regional stability and safety.

In a joint press conference after the meeting, President Putin said he discussed Syria with Rouhani and Aliyev, and the countries were successful in coordinating their positions.

“We have evaluated the security situation in the region in details, discussed the issues related to the Iranian nuclear deal and, of course, focused on the situation in Syria. I would like to stress that we are working with Iran in a very productive way. We are able to agree our positions on the Syrian issues,” the Russian leader said.

He pointed out that the situation in Syria and the talks to solve the crisis in the country were progressing positively, adding that the crisis in Syria cannot be solved by only one country.

For his part, Rouhani said Tehran and Moscow needed to increase their cooperation on resolving the war in Syria and further stabilizing the region.

“Cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is a must to bring stability and peace to Syria… It is also necessary to fight against regional terrorism,”  he said.

The Azeri president on his part commended Iran for its instrumental role in restoring regional peace and security and battling terrorism.

Hamda Mustafa