Senior Iran and Russian security officials say the close cooperation between the two sides should continue in order to eliminate growing threats from terrorism and help quell violence in crisis-hit regional countries through political initiatives.
The latest developments in the region, particularly in war-ravaged Syria, were discussed in a meeting between the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Tuesday.
The talks were held ahead of the 9th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, ISNA reported. Shamkhani called the two-way alliance in the war against terrorists in the Arab country "influential".
"Sustained support for the Syrian Army and people to wipe out the remnants of the terrorists and in parallel advancing political initiatives is the only path to put an end to the security crisis in that country," he said.
Peace Talks
He said the Syria peace talks that have been held with the participation of Tehran and Moscow over the past months, have contributed positively to brokering a ceasefire and reducing the violence and bloodshed.
"Certain countries have complicated the situation on the ground in Syria through their illegitimate military presence and are taking practical steps toward strengthening the defeated Takfiri terrorists," Shamkhani stated.
"Takfiri" is a term that refers to Sunni Muslim religious extremists such as the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group.
Good Example
The secretary of Russia's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said the joint work between the two governments in combating terrorism has proved "effective" and "very successful", which can serve as an example for security ties among Central Asian countries.
"Some countries are not pleased with the collaboration between Iran and Russia and have launched all-out and suspicious attempts to undermine this cooperation," Patrushev added.
He said Washington is continuously attempting to pressure Tehran and Moscow both economically and politically with the aim of minimizing their influence in the international arena.
However, their efforts will be in vain and the two countries will move ahead with their campaign to help stabilize the region, the Russian security official noted.
