Moscow, Feb 1, IRNA -- Head of Strategic Research Center at the Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati and Russia's Special Envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentiev in a meeting here discussed Syrian crisis.


Velayati and Lavrentiev also discussed mutual cooperation within the framework of quadrilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia, Iraq and Syria against the ISIL terrorist group.

Velayati embarked on an official visit to Russia at the invitation of the head of the Russian Strategic Studies Institute.

He has already met with senior Russian officials on Monday.

Earlier today, Velayati said Tehran and Moscow have adopted common stands on Syria.

Speaking to reporters, Velayati said the two sides' officials are now mulling current developments in the Middle East region.

Relations between Tehran and Moscow throughout history has been very unprecedented and grounds for expansion of all-out mutual, regional and defense cooperation have been developed, he said.

Coalition made between Iran, Russia, Iraq and Syria is now bearing fruits, he said.

Both Iran and Syria are determined to broaden cooperation to help resolve Syrian crisis, Velayati said.

Iran and Russia are opposed to intervention in Syrian affairs and believe that the issue should be resolved through dialogue and for the same reason they back talks on Syria, he said.

Russian president has backed Iran's accession to Shanghai as well as Brics, Velayati said.

Velayati arrived in Moscow on Monday morning and was welcomed by the Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sanayee along with a number of Iranian officials residing in Russia.

During his stay, Velayati is to confer with Russia's high-ranking officials on issues of mutual interests along with regional and global developments.

By IRNA