Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei says Tehran categorically opposes any foreign intervention in Syria and supports Damascus for backing the resistance front against Zionist regime.
“The Islamic Republic will defend Syria because of its support for the resistance front against the Zionist regime and is vehemently opposed to any intervention by foreign forces in Syrian internal affairs,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the holy city of Mashhad on Thursday.
The Islamic Revolution Leader also expressed Iran’s support for the reform process underway in Syria and called for the reforms' momentum to be maintained.
Ayatollah Khamenei further slammed the instrumental view of the hegemonic powers and the US in particular towards the regional states, noting, “The Americans recognize no nation as an independent nation.”
“The Americans treat all countries in instrumental way, and therefore the interests of Islamic countries should be taken into account in decision-makings,” the Leader said.
Pointing to the recent developments in the region, Ayatollah Khamenei said that they have all served the interests of Islam and Muslims so far and will continue to do so in the future.
"The most important issue at the current critical juncture for the region is that independent nations make correct decisions," the Leader emphasized.
For his part, the Turkish premier called for the expansion of bilateral ties between his country and Iran, in light of the two countries' long-standing historical commonalities.
“We believe that, given this long history of bilateral relations, the ties between the two countries should be further deepened, particularly in the area of infrastructural collaborations,” Erdogan said.
He also noted that the make-up of the delegation accompanying him to Iran is a testament to Turkey's determination to strengthen its relations with the Islamic Republic, especially in the energy sector.