Iran remains in full support of Russia's anti-terror operation in Syria, Tehran's former ambassador to Syria Hossein Sheikholeslam told Sputnik Persian.

Russia launched its aerial anti-terror operation in�Syria a year ago, operating in�cooperation with�the Syrian army on�the ground at�the invitation of�the Syrian government.

Although most Russian forces left the country on�March 14, a small contingent remains at�the Hmeimim Air Base in�Syria, and Russian Aerospace Forces continue to�carry out�airstrike against�terrorist groups operating in�Syria. On September 9, Russia and the US agreed on�a ceasefire deal, however ten days later the Syrian army declared the ceasefire over�because militant opposition groups, many of�which have links to�the terrorist group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, consistently broke the truce.

On Sunday the UN Security Council held an extraordinary meeting, initiated by�the United States, France and the UK, to�address the rise in�violence in�Aleppo, Syria. Western diplomats criticized Russia and Iran during�the meeting, claiming that support for�Damascus from�Moscow and Tehran is prolonging the war in�Syria.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, former advisor at�the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Iran's ambassador to�Syria between�1998 and 2003, told Sputnik Persian that Iran remains in�support of�Russia's anti-terror operation, and continues to�back the Syrian government in�its fight against�terrorism. "It should be noted that Iran, Russia and the Syrian government advocated a peace settlement and the ceasefire, for�an end to�killing and bloodshed. I dare say that the initiative for�the truce belongs to�our alliance," Sheikholeslam said.

"Sergey Lavrov has said that it isn't worth waiting for�the Western coalition�to decide on�a peace deal, that we should be decisive and persuade the Syrian government to�agree to�a peace deal. However, unfortunately, the terrorists won't allow the establishment of�a truce."

Sheikholeslam said that Russia's aerial anti-terror operation was a key turning point in�the fight. "We all know that the Syrian army's aerial equipment is old and wouldn't be able to�carry out�so many precise airstrikes. Russian aviation has provided support from�the air, clearing the way for�the government ground troops and the Syrian resistance."

"The Russian air operation was an undoubted success, particularly given that the Americans provided support to�the terrorists, and advocated a no-fly zone in�fear of�losing their air corridor. It is clear that the US initiative to�create a no-fly zone is aimed against�the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force, and not their coalition aircraft."

Sheikholeslam said that Iran's decision to�allow Russia to�use its air base during�the course of�carrying out�anti-terror operations is testament to�Tehran's resolute opposition to�terrorism. "Iran has approved and welcomed the participation of�the Russian Aerospace Forces in�the anti-terror operation in�Syria since�the beginning.

We offered the Russian air force our technical assistance for�carrying out�flights, and welcomed the initiative to�turn the Hmeimim base into�a permanent Russian base." "No NATO members have provided their military airports for�the Russian Aerospace Forces to�carry out�the anti-terror operation, and Iran did (the Hamadan base). After all, we have one aim � the fight against�terrorism. That's why we will show support and help Russia under�any circumstances," Sheikholeslam said.

By Sputnik