Terrorism in Syria, Iraq Part of US Plots against Iran: Defense Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami highlighted the US role in the emergence of terrorism in Syria and Iraq and said the crises created in the two Arab countries are part of Washington’s conspiracies against the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Speaking at a meeting with the commanders of the Axis of Resistance in Syria on Monday, Brigadier General Hatami hailed the braveries of the Resistance forces in the fight against the Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group and said if such resistance had not been put up in Syria and Iraq, Iran would have had common borders with Daesh-held territories with the terrorists claiming sovereignty over the country’s lands as well.
“What happened in Iraq and Syria was within the framework of a series of plots hatched by the Americans against the Islamic Revolution since its victory (in 1979),” he said.
The defense minister further warned that such conspiracies will continue in the future, adding, “We need to be fully prepared to thwart them.”
The remarks come as Syrian forces continue to reclaim much of southern parts of the country and are poised to soon launch an offensive in Idlib, one of the last remaining areas outside of Damascus’ control.
Encouraged by the Syrian army’s gains and the somewhat improving economic conditions in the country, over 13,000 Syrian refugees have returned home so far this year from Lebanon alone, with thousands more also returning from other neighboring countries.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh, currently fighting against the central government.
In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.
