Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that US policies in Syria and the Middle East as a whole are a threat to both Tehran and Moscow, according to Sputnik News.
“The Americans have a long-term plan, and are attempting to dominate Syria and then the whole region…This is a threat to all countries, especially Russia and Iran,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, speaking at a meeting with the Russian president on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Summit in Tehran, taking place in the Iranian capital on Monday.
Khamenei also noted, according to Reuters, that having failed to achieve its objectives in Syria by military means, “the United States is trying to achieve its…objectives in Syria now through political means,” presumably referring to the proposed peace talks with US participation aimed at ending the conflict in Syria.
The Iranian leader also called for closer ties between Russia and Iran.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is an independent and solid strong country with very good prospects, and we see you as a trustworthy and reliable ally in the region and the world,” the Russian president said at the meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei today.
“Unlike certain parties, we are committed to never stab our partners in the back or take any behind-the-stage move against our friends and to resolve any differences that may arise through dialogue,” he added.
The Russian leader further described the two countries’ position on Syria as “very close”, and reiterated the crucial importance of the two states’ cooperation in this regard.
“We also stress that the Syrian crisis can only be resolved through political means and people’s vote and accepting the demands of all Syrian peoples and groups, and no one has the right to impose his views on the people of that country to decide about the government structure and fate of the president of Syria,” Putin continued.
