TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign
Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian told the UN special envoy for Syria here Sunday that the U.S. military presence and Israeli strikes are hindering a political solution to the crisis gripping the Arab country.
Amir-Abdollahian hailed Geir Pedersen’s efforts to promote national dialogue, peace and stability in Syria, saying the Islamic Republic has greatly contributed to such endeavors.
Iran, the foreign minister said, views the UN as the body responsible for helping put a peaceful end to the conflict in Syria.
Amir-Abdollahian called on the United Nations to take effective measures to end the illegal presence of U.S. occupation forces in Syria as well as airstrikes by the occupying regime of Israel on the country.
The Iranian foreign minister pointed to the refugee crisis in Syria and Western sanctions on the country, saying the conflict cannot be resolved if these issues are not addressed properly.
For his part, Pedersen described the status quo in Syria as stable, saying no side is currently pushing for a regime change in the country.
Syria says the Zionist regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country.
Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army drive out terrorists from much of the country.
Tel Aviv mostly keeps quiet about its attacks on Syrian territories which many view as knee-jerk reaction to the country’s achievements in confronting terrorism.
The U.S. military has deployed troops to eastern and northeastern Syria, claiming it is preventing oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.
Damascus, however, says the unlawful deployment is meant to plunder the country’s resources.
Former U.S. president Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in Syria for its oil.
After failing to oust the Syrian government with the help of its proxies and direct involvement in the conflict, the U.S. government has stepped up its economic war on the country.