29 Mar 2024
TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, whose body is in charge of monitoring implementation of the nuclear deal with the world powers, said Tehran has kept a watchful eye on powers' compliance with their undertakings and would not allow the agreement to influence its regional policies.

Speaking to a closed-door parliament session on Tuesday, Shamkhani said Iran has minimized state actors and foreign enemies' role-playing and influence on the scene of its domestic politics and security.

Yet he voiced concern over the spread of insecurity in the region, and said Tehran would strive to "enhance its political, economic and defense capabilities, strengthen its internal power structure and increase national solidarity in a bid to manage increasing threats".

He further briefed the lawmakers over the trend of the US compliance with its undertakings under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and said Washington is seeking to maintain the structure of the sanctions regime in a bid to contain Iran's defense capabilities and regional power, assuring that Iran is taking the necessary measures, as prescribed by the Supreme Leader, to counter the US moves.

"Implementation of the JCPOA will go on without any violation, as the Islamic Republic of Iran's strategic policies are maintained without being influenced by the efforts that are made by the US to take hostage Iran's revolutionary policies in the region," Shamkhani added.

He pointed to specialized meetings of the JCPOA supervision committee and thorough study of the trend of the implementation of the JCPOA, and said, "The openings created in energy, transportation, banking, insurance sectors and also finding the challenges imposed by the reinstatement of some sanctions and the influence of primary sanctions on non-JCPOA issues parameters in this trend are among the tasks of the Committee."

He presented a report on the latest political, defense and security developments in Iraq which has pushed terrorism to the brinks of a downfall, and said, "The Fallujah operations that displayed very suitable conditions of coordination and capabilities of the Iraqi army and popular forces boosted political harmony in Iraq in addition to improving the Iraqi government's initiative in the battlefield."

Shamkhani pointed to the complicated political and security conditions in Syria, and said that political and military coordination among Iran, Russia and Syria is the most important parameter influencing the current equations in Syria.

The top security official pointed to the destructive role of some regional states in increasing political tensions in Yemen and Bahrain, and said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's stance in condemnation of foreign meddling and use of military tools in pursuit of expansionist political objectives against neighboring states and the Saudi government's pursuit of this trend will result in increasing instability and violence in the region."

In relevant remarks in late June, Iran's former Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs rejected media speculations that the country has shifted its policy on Syria, reiterating that Tehran's all-out support for President Bashar al-Assad remains unchanged.

"Some people think that Iran has changed its policy on Syria or the Russians' presence has undermined Iran's influence and role while these are wrong speculations," Hossein Sheikholeslam, also former Iranian ambassador to Damascus, said.

Noting that Iran is pursuing a stable policy on Syria based on the realities on the ground and the political scene in Syria, he said, "Today, I can say that Iran's influence and role has increased and become more important than ever."

Sheikholeslam, who is now a top advisor to the Iranian parliament speaker for international affairs, underlined that while the Russian warplanes are playing an important role in the annihilation of Takfiri terrorist groups, more important is the ground operations and advancing on the ground by the Syrian army, popular and resistance forces.

He reminded Iran's military advisory role in Syria, and said, "At present, Russia, Syria and Iran enjoy the highest level of cooperation in the crisis in Syria. In other words, when the Russian defense minister visits Tehran and consults with the Iranian officials, it means that both sides have enhanced their coordination to the highest levels."

"At present, Tehran and Moscow have focused their efforts on safeguarding Syria's stability and fight against terrorism," Sheikholeslam said.

Stressing that Iran and Russia are in agreement over the future of Syria, he said, "Both Iran and Russia believe that Syria's future should be decided by the Syrian people and they, and not the US and Turkish presidents and the Saudi king, should decide about it."

Asked if Iran will increase its advisory role in Syria, Sheikholeslam said Tehran started its role when the Syrian government asked for, other countries were interfering in Syria and sent terrorists there, and the Syrian government had practiced reforms and the ground was paved for the presence of other parties in the country's political structure.

Iran is helping the regional states, including Iraq and Syria, in the war on terrorism by sending military advisors at the demand of their governments.

Also in June, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that Tehran is providing a military advisory role in Iraq and Syria after the two countries' issued emergency calls and requested help.

"Iran is in Iraq and Syria at the request of their governments to fight against the danger of terrorism," Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart Borge Brende in Oslo.

"We should all understand that the crisis in Syria doesnt have a military solution and we negotiate with Norway on this issue. We should know that this issue can (only) be resolved through a political solution," he added.

By Fars News Agency
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