Iran’s regime has held another high-level discussion with the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, reviewing the crisis in neighboring Syria and the Middle East.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Wednesday and then declared, “All countries in the region should be vigilant in the face of conspiracies by the Zionist regime; and Muslim countries must take care not to be consumed by the flames of war, extremism and terrorism because of imprudence on the part of certain parties.”

Last month Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif saw Nasrallah, whose backing has been essential for the survival of Syrian President Assad, as Tehran promoted a Russian-Iranian initiative for high-level political talks, However, on the same day, Saudi Arabia undermined the diplomatic moves by insisting that Assad must step down before negotiations began.

Iran has also coordinated military operations with Hezbollah, whose forces have advanced from the Lebanon border towards Damascus, both to prop up the Syrian regime and to prepare a buffer zone if Assad should fall.

Amir-Abdollahian also spoke of the local situation in Lebanon, amid mass protests that started on August 22 over political paralysis, corruption, and failure in public services.

“Iran always supports Lebanon’s and the region’s security and stability, and stresses national unity in Lebanon,” the Minister said.

By EA WorldView