Imam Khamenei, Putin Meeting: to Thwart US Plots in the Region

Local Editor

On the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum held in Tehran and participated by presidents from nine countries, a constructive meeting took place between the Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and the Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The Monday meeting urged vigilance and close interaction to thwart the American plot for Western Asia, which is against the interests of all countries.

In the context, Imam Khamenei said the US plans to control the whole of West Asia by dominating Syria and then expanding its power over the entire region, saying: "This plot is a threat to all nations and countries, particularly Russia and Iran."

Imam Khamenei hailed Russia's influential role in regional issues, particularly in the Syrian conflict, considering that Moscow's decisions and measures in dealing with developments in Damascus enhanced the regional and international standing of Russia and President Putin in particular.

"The Americans have always been trying to place their rivals in a position of passivity but you have foiled such a policy," Imam Khamenei said. "Washington's direct and indirect aid to terrorist groups, including "ISIS", is among other obvious flaws in the American policies."

His eminence said the Syrian president, in a national election, succeeded in winning the majority of votes of the Syrian people with "different political, religious and ethnic" viewpoints. He emphasized that the US has no right to ignore the choice the Syrian people make.

Relatively, Imam Khamenei praised Russia's efforts on the Iranian nuclear issue. "This issue came to a conclusion but we have no trust in the Americans and are monitoring the US government's attitude and performance in this regard with open eyes," he stressed.

In his turn, Putin said Tehran and Moscow have very close positions on the Syrian crisis. "Russia emphasizes that the conflict should be solved through the adoption of political approaches and resignation to the demands of the Syrian people and groups," he asserted.

He further added: "No country has the right to impose its views on the Syrian people and make decisions about the structure of the government and the nation's president on behalf of them."

Putin also stressed that Russia would proceed with its airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria, marking the importance of Tehran-Moscow cooperation about solving the Syrian crisis through political approaches.

Finally, both sides stressed their countries are determined to expand mutual relations. The meeting ended up with President Putin presenting Imam Khamenei with one of the oldest manuscripts of the Holy Qur'an as a very precious gift, who, in turn, thanked him for the gift.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team