Iran�s regime has lined up behind Russia�s declaration of a �coalition� in Syria against the Islamic State, as Moscow builds up its military presence alongside the Assad regime.

The Supreme Leader�s military advisor, General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, said on Thursday that Syria and Iraq are Iran�s �strategic defense depth�, so �it is logical to wipe out the terrorist Daesh group [Islamic State] there�.

Rahim-Safavi continued, �Our material and spiritual support as well as military consultations given to Iraqis and Syrians are based on wisdom and logic.�

Russia and Iran failed this summer in an initiative for an international conference to maintain President Assad in power during a �political transition�. Saudi Arabia undermined the proposal in mid-August when it insisted that Assad must step down before negotiations developed.

This month Moscow has combined a build-up of military equipment in western Syria � including expansion of an airbase and the entry of several hundred troops as �advisors� � with the revised political strategy seeking international acceptance of a �coalition� to fight the Islamic State. The �coalition� would include the Assad regime and the Syrian military, effectively recognizing the President�s continuing right to rule.

See Syria Daily, Sept 18: Assad Regime Welcomes Stepped-Up Russian Military Intervention

Iran has publicly opposed the US-led coalition�s operations against the Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria, claiming they are a deception to cover up Washington�s creation and support of the militants.

Rahim-Safavi continued the attack on Thursday, saying that �the US has on its agenda the disintegration of the Islamic countries to infiltrate the region�.

Iran�s Deputy Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, is travelling to Moscow on Monday for discussions.

By EA World View