Washington made strategic mistakes in Syria: Iran MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker says the United States has made “strategic mistakes” in Syria and must be held accountable to the world public opinion.

Addressing parliament members, independent activists and civil society organizations invited to observe the Syrian presidential election in Damascus on Wednesday, Chairman of Iran’s Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated that Washington’s measures in the Middle East have only spread terrorism in the region.

Criticizing the US approach to Syria, Boroujerdi stated that American statesmen claim they support human rights in the world at the same time as they are sponsoring terrorism and Takfiri militants.

The senior Iranian legislator further noted that European and American nationals fighting in Syria along with foreign-sponsored militants will ultimately return home.

Boroujerdi said while Western leaders are voicing serious concerns about their return, the US has one more announced that it will provide militants operating inside Syria with advanced weapons.

The high-ranking Iranian official also noted that high turnout in Syria’s presidential election sent a clear message to sponsors of terrorism and the so-called human right advocates.

“Through mass participation in the election, Syrians sent a clear message to US and the Zionist regime (of Israel). The Syrian people’s message in the election is democracy and the pullout of terrorists from their country, and they voiced their outrage at the Israeli regime, which is the symbol of support for state terrorism,” Boroujerdi pointed out.

On Tuesday, the Syrian people voted in high numbers in the presidential election across the government-controlled areas of the country. The vote count started after the polls closed.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. Over 160,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by the foreign-backed militants.

According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.