Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that ignoring the threat of armed terrorist groups in Syria was a "great strategic mistake."
He made the remarks in a meeting with Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel in Tehran, in which the two officials discussed regional developments and bilateral relations, the Fars news agency reported.
The foreign minister reiterated that Iran will stand by the Lebanese resistance and army and is fully prepared to provide them with "political, security, and intelligence support" in their battle against terrorist and extremist groups.
"Today, the whole world has come to the understanding that overlooking the threat of the armed terrorist groups in Syria over the past three and a half years was a great strategic mistake which imposed heavy costs on the people of Lebanon and the region, such as insecurity and a flood of refugees."
Samir Moqbel, for his part, thanked Iran for offering a military grant to the Lebanese army.
He said, "The aid is definitely helpful in reinforcing our resistance against takfiri and terrorist groups."
President Hassan Rouhani also met with the Lebanese defense minister on Sunday, the Mehr news agency reported.
The president called for efforts to help promote security and stability in the region and said, "Iran will continue its support for the people in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon."
In a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart on Monday, Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan announced a package of defense equipment is ready to be dispatched for the Lebanese army to help them in their campaign against terrorists.
