DAMASCUS (Dispatches) -- Russian Ambassador to Syria Aleksandr Yefimov says Moscow and Tehran are cooperating closely with each other to work out an effective solution to the ongoing Syrian conflict.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Russia’s state-owned RT Arabic television news network on Thursday, Yefimov dismissed reports of disagreements between Russia and Iran over Syria.
“Allegations about differences between Russia and Iran over Syria have been going around for a while. They are being circulated by hostile parties, who are primarily interested in opening up a rift between the two countries and our common ally Syria. I am not, personally, aware whether Russia and Iran have such differences,” the Russian diplomat said.
Yefimov further noted that Moscow and Tehran are working in close cooperation with each other for a common cause in Syria.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, just like Russia, is present here legally at the invitation of Syrian authorities. It is helping the Damascus government overcome urgent problems arising from the crisis that has been going on for several years,” he said.
“There is constant interaction between Moscow and Tehran at all levels, including high-level contact, regarding Syria. It is yielding tangible results,” the Russian ambassador added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Yefimov denounced Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian territory as “blatant violation of the international law.”
“Such raids not only violate the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic, but also pose a threat to international air traffic. They generally exacerbate the already volatile military-political situation around Syria,” he said.
“The Israelis claim that they are acting for their own security. Their attacks, however, are fairly provocative in nature, and do not ensure peace and stability in Syria in one way or another. Such assaults endanger innocent lives, and increase the risk of ... an uncontrollable military confrontation,” the Russian diplomat stressed.
The occupying regime of Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists.
The Tel Aviv regime mostly keeps quiet about its attacks on Syrian territories which many view as a knee-jerk reaction to Syrian government’s increasing success in confronting terrorism.
The Zionist regime has been a main supporter of terrorist groups that have vainly been fighting since 2011 to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad.