Leader’s advisor: Syrian people’s resistance thwarted international plot by enemies

A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says resistance of the Syrian people during years of war boosted the resistance front in the region and thwarted an international plot hatched by enemies of the Arab country.

“There is no doubt that Syria plays a crucial role in the resistance front and has paid a heavy price for playing that role,” Ali Akbar Velayati said in a meeting with the visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad on Monday.

“Helped by other countries of the resistance front, the Syrian nation managed to overcome an international plot hatched by about 80 colonialist countries in addition to reactionary regimes of the region and Zionists, and defeated all of them, and today, we congratulate the Syrian government and nation on their achievements,” Velayati added.

He stressed the importance of expanding mutual relations between the two countries, noting that Tehran and Damascus continue to promote “strategic” ties and “this trend serves the two countries’ interests, which must be pursued seriously.”

The senior Iranian official noted that the two countries have strengthened relations over the past 40 years since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, saying that by making strategic decisions, bilateral ties could continue more effectively in the direction of achieving common objectives.

The Islamic Republic was the first country to rush to Syria’s assistance after the latter found itself in the grip of foreign-backed militancy and terrorism in 2011.

Tehran has vowed to sustain its backing for Syria’s efforts to protect its sovereignty in the face of regional and extra-regional efforts to destabilize the country.

Iran plays leading role in supporting Syria: Mekdad

The Syrian foreign minister, for his part, said Iran has provided the Arab country’s government and nation with valuable support, adding that Tehran and Damascus enjoy extensive relations in various cultural, social, economic and political fields.

Mekdad also hailed the role played by Ayatollah Khamenei in expanding and consolidating ties between Iran and Syria, saying that Tehran plays an instrumental role in the region thanks to the guidelines of Ayatollah Khamenei.

The top Syrian diplomat arrived in the Iranian capital on his first foreign visit late Sunday. He assumed the position last month after his predecessor Walid al-Muallem passed away.

In a meeting with Mekdad earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran and Syria should remain vigilant and continue consultations in light of the recent regional developments and conditions.

Regional developments call for Iran-Syria vigilance, consultations: FM Zarif

The Iranian foreign minister says Tehran and Damascus should remain vigilant and continue consultations given the recent regional developments.

The Syrian foreign minister is scheduled to meet Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the Islamic Republic’s top security body, on Tuesday.

Read more: 

• Iran's top cmdr., Syria's defense minister sign agreement to boost military, security cooperation

• Iran-Syria accord first step to defang US Caesar sanctions: Assad's top aide

• Iran diplomat, UN envoy urge Syria crisis settlement through political dialog

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