Iran Doubtful about US Intention to Fight Terrorism: Deputy FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian voiced doubts over the sincerity of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group which was formed in a recent NATO summit in Wales.
Iran have doubts about the US intention to fight against terrorist groups, Amir Abdollahian said during a meeting with Mohamed Yusuf Haji, a senior Kenyan senator and former defense minister, in Tehran on Monday.
“From the beginning of the crisis in Syria, we told the Westerners that supporting terrorism would threaten the world’s security and the al-Qaeda-affiliated groups after more than a decade of terrorist activities in Afghanistan and Iraq have become more professional,” he said.
“They can carry out serious terrorist operations anywhere in the world, and the US has now realized the issue and called for cooperation with Iran,” Amir Abdollahian said, adding, “But we have doubts about their intention to fight terrorism.”
The ISIL is a militant group in Iraq and Syria believed to be supported by the West and some regional Arab countries. The terrorist group claims as an independent state the territory of Iraq and Syria, with implied future claims intended over more of the Levant, including Lebanon, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, and Southern Turkey.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian diplomat commented on the good record of bilateral relations between Tehran and Nairobi and emphasized the need to promote mutual cooperation in all spheres.
Yusuf Haji, for his part, voiced his country’s willingness to expand bilateral ties with Iran in diverse areas.
“Kenya is aware of Iran’s recent achievements in the area of science and technology and the Kenyan government and parliament are keen to promote cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
