Supreme Leader’s Top Military Aide Describes Iraq, Syria as Iran’s Strategic Defense Depth

Top Military Aide to the Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Khamenei Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said Iraq and Syria are Iran’s strategic defense depth, and underscored the necessity for wiping out the ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

Speaking to a local gathering on Thursday, Safavi said, “Iran’s material and spiritual support as well as military consultations given to Iraqis and Syrians are based on wisdom and logic.”

Safavi said that there are 9 million Iraqi and Syrian displaced refugees and more than 7,000 Yemenis were martyred and lamented that the Persian Gulf littoral states purchased 100 billion dollars of US-made arms in the last 10 years but never used them against the Zionist regime.

He, meantime, warned that US has disintegration of the Islamic countries to infiltrate the region on its agenda.

Iranian officials have always called for the collective efforts of all countries to help resolve the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria. They always admit that Iran is fully ready for bilateral and multilateral cooperation to fight against common security threats, extremism and terrorism.

On Wednesday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani underlined Tehran’s efforts to boost security and stability in the region.

The top Iranian parliamentarian stressed Iran’s role in regional stability, and said, “Unlike western counties, we are after establishing security in the region.”

“Iran is defending the nation and government of Iraq against terrorists,” he further added.

The speaker also said Iran helps the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and the Palestinian Hamas due to the popular supports they enjoy in their counties.

He underscored the necessity for more cooperation among the neighboring states to fight against this phenomenon and strengthen security and stability in the region.