Iran dismissed western allegations of chemical attacks by the Syrian government on a rebel-held town in the war-torn Arab country as unfounded and part of a plot to push for military action.
"Such claims and accusations by the Americans and some other western countries signal a new conspiracy against the Syrian government and nation and are an excuse for military action that could further complicate the situation in that country and the region," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
IRNA quoted Bahram Qasemi as warning that the western charges risk another setback to global and regional peace and stability by emboldening terrorist groups operating in the insurgency-riven country.
He said Iran, as a major victim of chemical weapons, condemns the use of any type of chemical weapons by any group or country.
Moscow has also defended the Syrian government's position in denying allegations of having used chemical weapons in the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta.
"We strongly deny these claims and announce our readiness to send Russian experts in radiation, chemical and biological defense to Douma after its liberation from terrorists to gather evidence, which would prove that the allegations on the chemical weapons use were staged," said Major General Yuri Yevtushenko, commander of the Russian Center for Syria reconciliation. That position was echoed by Qasemi, who said the reports of the gas attack "do not square with the facts".
"The chemical fabrications, which did not serve the terrorists and their sponsors in Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta, will not serve them today either, as the Syrian state is determined to end terrorism in every inch of Syrian territory," Yevtushenko said, Sputnik reported.
US President Donald Trump took a rarer public snipe at his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin over the reports, called Assad an "animal" and warned that he would pay a "big price".
“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless chemical attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay,” Trump wrote in a twitter post on Sunday.
There were missile attacks on the T-4 airfield near Homs the next day, which Syria's government has blamed on the US, a charge denied by the Pentagon.
The United Nations Security Council was to meet over the issue twice on Monday upon separate requests from Russia and the United States and some of its allies.
