Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani called for serious and real determination to combat terrorism in the Middle East region.
Speaking in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in Tehran on Monday, Shamkhani highlighted the root causes of the emergence of terrorism in the region and the role of certain Western-allied countries in the rise of the phenomenon.
Inattention to the Islamic Republic’s warnings about some countries’ move to arm rebels against “the legitimate government in Syria” has led to the emergence of numerous terrorist groups and creation of an unprecedented crisis, inflicting heavy human and material damages to regional countries, Shamkhani said.
“Real resolve to counter extremism and terrorism in the region comes within the framework of respect to (other) countries’ independence and sovereignty,” he further stressed.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including ISIL, currently controlling parts of it. The ISIL terrorist group is believed to be supported by the West and some regional Arab countries.
During the meeting with Shamkhani, Hammond hailed Iran as a regional power and underlined the country’s major role in resolving various problems in the region, including terrorism.
He said London is seeking to establish lasting economic ties and boost mutual cooperation and consultations with Tehran on regional issues.
Hammond arrived in Tehran on Sunday to reopen the British embassy in the Iranian capital after a 4-year closure.
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