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Conflict in Syria

Iranian Defense Ministry says its mission is to fight terrorism

The ministry says the policy of the United States, Israel and some other countries, patronizes terrorism

© EPA/HASSAN BAHSOUN

TEHERAN, June 9 /TASS/. Iran considers struggle against terrorism to be its duty and its mission, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said at a meeting with the Russian and Syrian defense ministers, Sergei Shoigu and Fahd Jassem al-Freij, on Thursday.

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"The aggressive policy based on hegemony, which is being pursued by the United States, Israel and some other countries, which patronize terrorism, stands behind the current regional crisis. Iran has always been and remains a reliable anchor of regional security that has always been opposed to violence, aggression, terror and terrorism. For the purpose of restoring peace and security in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran is waging an irreconcilable struggle against terrorism and considers it to be its duty and its mission," Dehghan said in a speech, the text of which has been distributed by Iran’s Defense Ministry.

As for Syria, he emphasized that Iran had always favored a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis through inter-Syrian talks.

"Iran backed the truce in Syria but only on condition that it will not contribute to the strengthening of terrorist groups," Dehghan said.

"A crisis settlement in any country - be it Syria, Iraq, Yemen or any other state - lies through a resolute and unconditional struggle against terrorism and through curbing the channels of financial and political support [for terrorism] up to its full eradication. Only then, a calm situation in which the peoples of those countries can themselves determine their political future," Dehghan said.

Read also

He accused Saudi Arabia and Israel of patronizing terrorism. He warned that allied relations with the enemies of Muslims might have most dangerous consequences for the Saudi authorities. Iran’s defense minister called for taking resolute, quick, all-embracing and comprehensive counter-terrorism measures.

Dehghan urged the groups and movements operating in Syria to heed the requests of the Syrian people and sit down to talks with the country’s legitimate authorities.

"Joint efforts are the only way to establish peace and stability and give a rebuff to terrorism," the Iranian defense minister stressed.

The defense ministers of Iran, Russia and Syria met in Teheran on Thursday on the Iranian side’s initiative to discuss the situation in the region and ways of stepping up and expanding counter-terrorism struggle.

Iran’s foreign minister thanked his Russian and Syrian counterparts for participation in today’s meeting in Teheran. "Hopefully, we will be able to exchange our views, coordinate our efforts and make joint decisions in future in order to gain the final victory over terrorism," Iran’s defense minister concluded.

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