Iran, Russia, Syria in full coordination in fighting ISIL

TEHRAN, Oct. 21 (MNA) – Iranian deputy FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Tue. there is full coordination between Iran, Russia and Syria in the fight against the ISIL terrorist group in the war-ravaged Arab country. Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an event hosted by the European Council on Foreign Relations in London on Tuesday. The Iranian senior diplomat dismissed the idea of a short-term cooperation between Iran and Russia limited only to Syrian crisis, adding “Tehran-Moscow relations are sustainable and strategic; we are also pursuing the same level of ties with European countries.” Noting that Russia is targeting ISIL and all factions related to this militant group and Al-Qaeda in Syria, Amir-Abdollahian stressed that it is of utmost importance to Tehran and Moscow that Syrian people as well as any other opposition groups apart from terrorists not be hurt during the campaigns against ISIL. “It is not true that Russia is advancing in Syria through air support and Iran on the ground; we have no fighting troops deployed in Syria. Iran merely gives the Syrian government necessary consultations in regard to the fight against terrorism,” said Amir-Abdollahian, adding Iran has increased the number of its military advisors in Syria. Our efforts currently are aimed at restoring peace and security to Syria for a free and secure elections in that country, he added. The Iranian official further stressed that while Russia’s air campaign is necessary for the eradication of terrorism, the ultimate solution to Syria’s crisis is through political strategies. Amir-Abdollahian also expressed Iran’s full support for other regional countries gripped with the scourge of terrorism and war, including Iraq and Yemen. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian heading a high level delegation arrived in London on Monday to hold talks with high profile and senior editors and diplomats for an event hosted by the European Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday. During this two-day visit, the Iranian senior diplomat is scheduled to hold talks with British officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Parliament to lay out Iran’s vision and strategy in the Middle East and beyond.