Syrian FM Praises Tehran’s ‘Comprehensive’ Support for Damascus

Rouhani receives Syria's foreign minister in Tehran. (AFP)
Rouhani receives Syria's foreign minister in Tehran. (AFP)
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Syrian FM Praises Tehran’s ‘Comprehensive’ Support for Damascus

Rouhani receives Syria's foreign minister in Tehran. (AFP)
Rouhani receives Syria's foreign minister in Tehran. (AFP)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pledged on Tuesday to continue supporting the Syrian government as he received Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad in Tehran.

The Iranian News Agency (IRNA) quoted Rouhani as saying that relations will continue with strength and with the determination of the officials of the two countries.

"We have no doubt that we must continue the resistance until the end and eliminate the terrorists," Rouhani said, adding that Tehran "will always stand by Syria, its government and people ... and will always be by this country until the final victory."

For his part, Meqdad described the relationship between Tehran and Damascus as "one of the most valuable and honest political relations in the world.”

The FM stressed that "relations between Syria and Iran are strategic, and Tehran will remain with Syria, the people and government, until the final victory is achieved."

Meqdad also stressed that confronting Israeli occupation and terrorism is a common goal for Syria and Iran, adding: “There is no doubt that the resistance will continue until terrorism is eliminated in the region."

Rouhani said: "We reiterate our condemnation of US President Donald Trump’s recognition of the occupied Syrian Golan as part of Israel, and we believe that the confrontation with Israel should continue until the liberation of the occupied territories, including the Golan."

He remarked that the Astana track serves the interests of Syria and its territorial integrity, while also expressing support to the amendments to the Syrian constitution, saying: “We hope that next year, Syria will hold general elections in which all political parties can participate.”

Rouhani also noted that "Iran has experienced the worst sanctions during the past three years," stressing that it "is aware of the difficult conditions that the Syrian people are going through as a result of terrorism and sanctions."

Commenting on the assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in early 2020, he said it aimed to avenge the resistance of Iran, adding that the recent assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh sought to “take revenge” on Iran’s scientific and technological development.

On Tuesday, Meqdad had also met Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security of Iran Ali Shamkhani, who said: "America’s presence in Syria aims to smuggle its oil and ensure the security of Israel and expand (ISIS) terrorist cells in the region.”

The Iranian official also stressed on the need to "put an end to the evil American presence in the region."

Meqdad’s visit to Tehran is his first foreign trip since he was appointed foreign minister last month after the death of Walid al-Muallem.

On Nov. 28, the Syrian FM accused Israel and “those who supported it” of being behind the killing of Fakhrizadeh, an act he said would only fuel more tensions in the region.



Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
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Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP

The Taliban's foreign office said they saw India as a "significant regional and economic partner" after meeting with its most senior foreign ministry official, the highest level talks with Delhi since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.
Afghanistan's foreign ministry said in a statement that they had discussed expanding relations with Afghanistan and to boost trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan, Reuters reported.
"In line with Afghanistan's balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner," the statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry said late on Wednesday.
India's foreign ministry said after the Delhi meeting that India was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties.
No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban administration.
However, India is one of several countries with a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, aid and medical support and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Regional players including China and Russia have signaled they are willing to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan.
The Delhi meeting could ruffle Pakistan, which borders both countries and has fought three wars in the past against India.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge the Afghan Taliban denies.
Earlier this week India's foreign office told journalists they condemned airstrikes conducted late last year by Pakistan on Afghan soil.