President Rouhani Reject Iran-Russia Joint Cooperation in Syria War

“I do not see a coalition between Iran and Russia in the war against terrorism in Syria,” President Rouhani said in New York, addressing the American media representatives on Friday.

The Iranian president’s remarks came after he told the audience that President Vladimir Putin told him personally that Moscow wants to play a more active role in combating extremist groups in the region.

President Rouhani said when the bloodshed stops in Syria, the country should enter a new phase where the voices of the opposition will also be heard.

“It is impossible to achieve democracy in Syria without stability; voting is impossible in the battlefield,” President Rouhani added.

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, Iran’s Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi disclosed that Tehran and Moscow’s military aid and supports for Damascus are not done in the form of a single plan and each country is working based on its own plan, FNA reports.

Syrian officials have welcomed Iran and Russia’s military assistance in campaign against terrorism.

The Syrian foreign minister said Thursday said that Damascus might ask Moscow to send troops to fight alongside the government forces against terrorist groups in the war-torn country if necessary.

Moreover, Syria’s envoy to the United Nations said earlier that Russia had every right to carry out airstrikes against the ISIL on the country’s soil.

Also, Iran and Syria have inked several defense cooperation agreements based on which Tehran gives consultations to Damascus in fighting against the terrorist groups.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with the government of President Bashar Assad fighting against many armed opposition factions, militant and terrorist groups such as ISIL and the al-Nusra Front.