Backing Neighbors, Allies Top Priority of Iran’s Foreign Policy: Deputy FM


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian reiterated Tehran’s unwavering support for Damascus in the fight against foreign-backed terrorists, saying that Iran’s strategy of backing Syria will never change.

“Supporting neighbors, friends and allies is the top priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy,” Amir Abdollahian said in a Saturday meeting with Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi in Tehran.

He further pointed to a recent visit to Syria by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif after the conclusion nuclear talks with six world powers, saying that the visit conveyed an important message to neighboring and Arab countries as well as the anti-Israeli Resistance Front.

Zoubi, for his part, expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic for its supports for the Syrian government in the fight against terrorism.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.

According to the United Nations, more than 220,000 people have been killed and one million wounded during the conflict.

In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.

Earlier on June 2, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed the resistance of the Syrian government and people against foreign-backed terrorist groups in the Arab country, saying that Tehran is determined to side with Damascus to the end of the crisis.