Iran seeks alliance to protect Syria against US meddling

Top Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi held a meeting with Nabil el-Arabi, secretary general of the Arab League and former Egyptian foreign minister, in which he called for the establishment of an axis to protect Syria against U.S. intervention.

Boroujerdi, chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, travelled to Cairo on Monday to submit Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani’s invitation to el-Arabi to participate in an international conference on Palestine, which is scheduled to be held in Tehran from October 1 to 2.

His visit marked the first time a senior Iranian official has been to Egypt since former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was ousted on February 11.

During the meeting, Boroujerdi said, “Having lost Egypt, the U.S. has targeted Syria,” IRNA reported.

Boroujerdi added that the United States has been stirring up unrest in Syria with the aim of defeating the resistance movement and advancing the goals of the Zionist regime.

After the meeting, Boroujerdi briefed reporters on what he discussed with el-Arabi, saying they exchanged views on the latest developments in the Arab world as well as the Palestine issue.

Boroujerdi also said that the unrest in Syria was discussed during the meeting, and the secretary general of the Arab League expressed concern over the situation in the country, ISNA reported.

Iran has given leeway to Egypt to restore ties

In addition, Boroujerdi attended a press conference late on Tuesday, in which he said that Tehran has given Cairo a leeway to make decisions regarding the reestablishment of bilateral relations.

Iran will not set any precondition for the normalization of relations with Egypt, he said, adding, “I do not think Egypt would set any precondition in the post-revolution era.”

Turkey should keep calm while dealing with issues

Asked about Turkey’s stance on Syria and the news reports claiming that the Turkish authorities have intercepted an arms shipment from Iran that was destined for Syria, Boroujerdi said, “Reports about the transfer of weapons from Iran to Syria have no basis in fact, and we think that Turkey should keep calm when dealing with critical issues, and the language of threat and warning will not help resolve the problem.”

“However, we are ready to have cooperation with our Muslim brothers in the neighboring country of Turkey (on Syria) just as we had had good cooperation with Turkey on issues related to Iraq,” he added.

The Iranian lawmaker also said that Muslim countries should mobilize support for Syria and not allow the country to fall prey to Washington.

Efforts should be made to safeguard Syria as a hub of support for the resistance of the Palestinian people against the Zionist regime, Boroujerdi said.

Iran not trying to promote Shiism

Elsewhere in his remark, the Iranian official replied to a question about claims that the Islamic Republic is making endeavors to promote Shiism and said, “These are false propaganda being promoted by the common enemies of Shias and Sunnis.”