Iran Blasts EU's Baseless Claims about IRGC's Role in Syria

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran deplored the EU allegations that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has a role in the developments and unrests in Syria, and described such claims as "baseless" and "sheer lie".
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said on Monday that the EU is accusing the IRGC's Quds Force of involvement in Syrian developments, while they have never presented any corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations.

"Unfortunately, the European Union has adopted a double-standard policy in its approach towards developments in the region and is trying to divert the world public opinion from the violation of human rights by EU-backed regimes in the region," Mehman-Parast noted.

He underlined that the Syrian people are able to solve their internal problems, and noted, "The Islamic Republic of Iran respects other countries' sovereignty and views claims about its role and involvement in the internal affairs of that country (Syria) as sheer lie."

The remarks by Mehman-Parast came after the European Union on Wednesday expanded sanctions against Syria. The EU claimed that it has reinforced sanctions against Damascus because Iran's IRGC Quds Force is helping Syrian security forces.

An EU statement claimed that Iran's elite Quds Force has provided "technical assistance, equipment and other support to the Syrian security forces to repress civilian protest movements".

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March with demonstrations held both against and in support of President Assad's government.

Hundreds of people have been killed when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes between alleged protesters and state security forces as well as organized attacks by armed gangs against Syrian police forces.