Velayati denies Iran-US cooperation in Syria

TEHRAN, Nov. 07 (MNA) – The head of Strategic Research Center has said Iran has no military and political cooperation with the US in Syria. Ali Akbar Velayati who was speaking in a joint press conference with Syrian deputy-FM Faisal Mekdad on Wednesday, reiterated Iran’s policy that no one had the right to decide about the future of Syria; “the Islamic Republic of Iran will bring no plan to implementation without necessary coordination with Syrian government and people; any solution to crisis in Syria will be first communicated to Syrian people and government. Recent success of Syrian government forces in the frontlines and of its allies in Vienna round of talks in diplomatic arena would indicate ultimate victory for Syria,” Velayati told reporters. “Iran was the first country to predict success of the Syrian government and supported it accordingly, with Hezbollah, Iraq, and Russia following the suit; we believe that if extremism in Syria is left at large in Syria, it will extend itself to other countries in the region in a spillover effect; we are optimistic about the future of the region and fight against terrorism,” he added. “Meeting with Mr. Mekdad was constructive; we discussed bilateral relations and international developments, especially in Syria,” said senior advisor of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Faisal Mekdad voiced satisfaction with visiting Tehran; “Syrian war is a plot to target and destroy Syrian culture and civilization, and also to destroy Syrian achievements as a leader in resistance front against the Zionist regime; with Mr. Velayati, we talked Iran’s help in sending military advisors to Syria and the roles of Hezbollah and Russia in fight against international terrorism in Syria; we appreciate Iran’s advisory role in Syria, and know well that which countries support terrorism, and believe that terrorism will backfire, damaging its supporters as well,” Mekdad told reporters. “Syrian interim government plot is by no means an Iranian initiative; it is product of some countries seeking further exacerbation of the already tense situation in Syria; those who have failed on the field, seek a modicum of success in diplomatic corridors,” he added.