Iran, Russia discuss Syrian crisis

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 18 By Fatih Karimov – Trend: Russia’s special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev met with Ali Akbar Velayati, the Iranian Supreme Leader’s senior advisor, in Tehran Dec. 18, IRNA news agency reported. In his second visit to Tehran in recent weeks, Lavrentiev discussed the latest regional developments including the Syria crisis with Iranian official. During the meeting, Velayati referred to promotion of all-out ties between Iran and Russia and said Tehran and Moscow enjoy unprecedented strategic relations. Velayati added that the US, Israel and their regional allies assumed that they could oust the Syrian president Bashar Assad in weeks but the Syrian people and government resisted and their position is improving day-by-day. Lavrentiev visited Tehran on Dec. 3 and met with senior Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani. At that time, Velayati said that the Russia’s special envoy has conveyed an important message to Iranian officials. Tehran and Moscow share the same stance towards Syria, supporting the Syrian President Bashar Assad. Tehran has always expressed support for the Syrian government since it sees the Assad regime as its main strategic ally in the region and as a part of an "axis of resistance" against Israel.