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Iran: Success in Syria vitally important

Ali-Akbar Velayati, an aide to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei

A senior Iranian official says resolving the Syria crisis is a common interest for Tehran and Moscow, stressing that success in this regard is crucial to the regional security.

“One of the examples of common interest of Iran and Russia is resolving the Syria crisis. Success in this sphere is vitally important and can ensure the territorial integrity of countries such as Iraq and Turkey as well as stability in the region,” Ali Akbar Velayati said.

He made the remarks in Moscow in a meeting with Alexei Pushkov, the head of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee, as he continued his talks with Russian leaders.

Velayati, who is a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, said Iran and Russia have “long-standing strategic interests as well as common threats.”

He cited “extremism” in the region as a common threat which “is spreading to the Central Asia and western China,” saying cooperation between the two countries was crucial to checking the menace.

Velayati is visiting Moscow following the first trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Tehran in eight years. The visit last November caught eyes as the Russian leader skipped formal trappings to head straight to a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei after arrival in Tehran.

Velayati said, “The course of the long-term, strategic cooperation between the two countries is irreversible and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to increase its support and cooperation in all areas.”

“Bilateral cooperation, especially after the victory of (Iran’s) Revolution, is unprecedented in the history of the two countries and we are pursuing ties with the East especially Russia in line with the strategic view of the Eminent Leader.”

The Iranian official assured that relations with Russia stand on a strong footing after a landmark visit by President Hassan Rouhani to Europe and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s travel to Tehran last month.

“Both Iran and Russia are seriously committed to their long-term strategic relationship but they should also take practical steps to increase the volume of their exchanges especially in the economic sphere,” Velayati said.


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