Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Iranian advisors were initially deployed to Syria to support the Syrian army in its fight against terrorism and to prevent insecurity from spreading to neighboring countries and the wider region.
He emphasized that the decision to withdraw these advisors was a responsible measure, reflecting the current security, military, and political conditions in Syria and the region.
Baghaei made these remarks in an interview with IRNA, following statements by the Russian president during his annual Direct Line press conference, where he addressed domestic and international issues, including the situations in Ukraine, Syria, and strained relations with the West.
The Russian president had stated: “When armed opposition groups entered Aleppo, there were 30,000 fighters. Previously, our Iranian friends sought our help in Syria. Now, they are seeking help to leave Syria.”
In response, Baghaei emphasized the history of collaboration between Iran and Russia in combating terrorism in Syria. He noted: “It is not unusual for stakeholders in Syria’s developments to present differing narratives about the causes of events and the roles of various actors. However, some recent claims regarding Iran’s advisory role in Syria before the fall of the Damascus regime are not based on accurate information.”
The spokesperson clarified that Iran’s involvement in Syria was based on an official invitation from the country’s legitimate government. Over the years, Iran and Syria worked together effectively to combat terrorism, successfully preventing ISIS from taking root in Syria and Iraq and curbing the spread of terrorism across the region, he remarked.
Baghaei explained that after ISIS was defeated, Iran’s military presence in Syria shifted to an advisory role, aimed at preventing the group’s resurgence, combating terrorism, and strengthening Syria’s military capabilities against Israeli aggression. “This approach has proven successful, as seen in the immediate aftermath of Iranian advisors’ withdrawal, when Israel occupied strategic areas and destroyed critical infrastructure in Syria,” he added.
When asked about the number of Iranians evacuated from Syria, Baghaei clarified that the evacuees included the families of Iranian diplomats, Iranian and non-Iranian pilgrims, and individuals who had traveled to assist Lebanese refugees in Syria. He stressed that all these individuals were flown back to Iran on Iranian planes via Hmeimim Airport, which was used in coordination with Russia as a secondary airport alongside Damascus Airport.
The spokesperson concluded by underlining the strategic significance of Iran-Russia relations across various sectors. He noted that dialogue between the two countries is ongoing at all levels. “We prefer to exchange views and expertise through official channels,” he stated.
