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Putin praises Iran’s help in Syria
November 24, 2015, 10:20 am

During his visit to Tehran, Monday Putin said that Russia's military strategy in Syria would have been impossible without Iran's help [Xinhua]

During his visit to Tehran, Monday Putin said that Russia’s military strategy in Syria would have been impossible without Iran’s help [Xinhua]


Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be reaching out to Middle East leaders in a bid to reach consensus on a strategy to destroy the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS).

On Monday, Putin met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the sidelines of the third summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in the capital Tehran.

Iran was invited at Russia’s behest to attend international talks on the Syrian crisis in Vienna for the first time on October 30.

Moscow and Tehran have supported Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad and insist that he be part of an interim political process and future elections.

“The Americans have a long-term plot and are trying to dominate Syria and then the whole region … This is a threat to all countries, especially Russia and Iran,” Khamenei told Putin, according to his website.

Putiin also met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of GECF summit, and thanked the Islamic Republic for its support of Russia’s military campaign in Syria.

“All this is done, of course, in agreement with the Iranian partners … I think that without them it would be impossible,” Putin said in comments carried by Russian news agencies.

For his part, Rouhani pledged to increase cooperation with Russia to destroy what he called a common enemy.

“Whereas some countries are only indulging in anti-terrorist oratory and taking demonstrative actions, our two countries have proved that this issue can be addressed seriously,” he said in reference to Western powers who have failed to weaken ISIL in the past 18 months.

Putin is also expected to discuss the crisis in Syria with Jordanian monarch Abdullah when he visits the Russian port city of Sochi on Tuesday.

According to Jordanian media, King Abudllah will convey his concerns that escalated Russian air raids against Islamist extremist forces near the border with Syria could trigger a new refugee exodus.

Jordan already hosts nearly a million Syrian refugees.

Breaking: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected during his press conference with King Abdullah to address the downing of an SU-24 fighter jet over Syria.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies