Leader’s Top Aide:

Regional Nations Defended against Foreign-Backed Terrorism by Iran

Iranian Supreme Leader's top adviser for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati reminded that trans-regional actors created and supported terrorism in many countries of the Middle East like Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and it was Tehran that kept backing the people of those affected countries.

News ID: 447556

Date: 24 October 2019 - 17:26

RNA - In a Tuesday meeting with the visiting China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Zhai Jun in Tehran, Velayati referred to the foreign powers’ conspiracies against the countries of the Middle East including Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, and said that Iran stood by the people of those countries against foreign-backed terrorism.

Meanwhile, he added that Iran will continue its support for the countries of the region, saying, “The countries of Syria, Yemen, and Iraq will certainly come out victorious and security will return to the region.”

The senior official highlighted that the Resistance Front will have an upper hand in balance of power in the West Asia region, predicting that the region will return to its original owners.

Zhai, for his part, praised Iran's positive cooperation in the region, adding, “Iran-China relations are at a very good level and the strategic partnership between the two countries is very developed and relations are very deep.”

Pointing to the sensitivity of the region, the Chinese diplomat said, “The region is very sensitive and security has to return to it.”

He then touched upon Tehran-Riyadh relations, saying that Iran and Saudi Arabia are important countries in the region that should have a peaceful relationship.

Furthermore, the two sides discussed and exchanged views on the development of bilateral, regional and international relations.

Elsewhere in the meeting, Velayati hailed China's stances on issues related to Iran and added, “China is an important country for us and there are very deep relations between the two countries.”

He further described the bilateral relations between the two nations as strategic and growing.

"We are witnessing a critical situation in the region and very important developments are taking place, and most of the countries in the world tend to be active in this region, and we want China to be more active in the region, and we need to take steps to develop regional cooperation," Velyati added.

Before meeting with Velayati, Zhai had a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and voiced Beijing’s strong willingness to maintain consultations with Tehran over the Middle East issues.

“China is attaching great significance to peace and stability in the Middle East, and is willing to continue its consolations with the Islamic Republic of Iran on this issue,” Zhai said.

The meeting was focused on bilateral ties and important regional developments.

Zarif, for his part, said that Tehran views its ties with Beijing as strategic.

Referring to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s initiative for promoting peace in the Persian Gulf with the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE), the foreign minister welcomed China’s willingness to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

According to Fars News Agency, President Rouhani presented the HOPE initiative while delivering a speech at his UN General Assembly meeting in New York on September 25, inviting all regional countries to participate in it.

In late August, Zarif paid a visit to China to explore avenues for the expansion of strategic relations between the two nations in talks with senior Chinese officials.

In a meeting in Beijing, Zarif and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed various issues related to bilateral relations, the latest developments in the implementation of the JCPOA, a roadmap for Iran-China ties in the next 25 years, the security of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, and the illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States on independent countries.

On September 17, Chairwoman of the Money and Capital Market Commission of Tehran’s Chamber of Commerce Farial Mostofi said a $400 billion credit line has been launched for trade between Iran and China.

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