Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei received some heads of state who were in Tehran to attend a meeting of gas exporting countries on Monday.
In the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Leader said countries in the region should have “closer interaction” to foil a “long-term” plan by the United States to gain supremacy in West Asia.
“The Americans have a long-term plan to make up for their historical failure to establish supremacy in West Asia by dominating Syria and extending their control over the whole region. This plot poses a threat to all nations and countries, especially Russia and Iran.”
The Leader praised Russia’s policy on Syria and said, “Moscow’s decisions and measures with regard to the Syrian issue have enhanced the credibility of Russia and of Mr. Putin in the region and the world.”
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need to find the “right solution” to the Syrian conflict, noting that “if the terrorists that perpetrate atrocities in Syria are not suppressed, the reach of their destructive activities would spread to Central Asia and other regions.”
The Russian president said Moscow maintains that the Syria crisis could only be settled through political means and people’s vote, and no foreign country has the right to impose its views on the Syrian people.
Putin also described Iran as a “strong and independent” country that has “bright prospects” and is a “reliable partner”.
Venezuela’s Anti-Hegemon Fight Hailed
In a separate meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Venezuelan people for their resistance against hegemony, saying “hegemonic policies” have inflicted great suffering on human beings.
“The only way for independent countries to achieve progress and victory is by increasing resistance and relying on their people in the battle of wills,” he said.
Pointing to US hostile policies on Latin America, he said, “The United States used to treat [Latin America] as its backyard, but the unique [protest] movement launched by the Venezuelan government and nation brought independence and identity to this region.”
Iran regards Venezuela’s progress and success as its own, the Leader’s official website quoted him as stating.
Maduro cautioned about plots by imperialist governments to hurt independent countries and said, “Imperialism intends to undermine the independence of nations by spreading chaos across the world and damaging their sense of identity.”
He echoed Ayatollah Khamenei’s views, saying national resolve is needed to foil such plots.
Int’l Coalitions Untrustworthy
The Leader also met Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
Underlining the need for increasing cooperation among Muslim countries to help protect the true identity of Islam and Muslims, he said international coalitions purporting to fight terrorism are not trustworthy.
“Because these destructive elements, including the US, are behind the creation of and [continued] support for terrorist groups such as Daesh [an Arabic acronym for the so-called Islamic State militant group].”
Ayatollah Khamenei said it would be naive to pin hope on help from the West to defeat terrorists, adding that there is credible evidence that “the US and some regional countries, due to their reactionary policies, have played a destructive role in Iraq by providing direct backing for Daesh.”
Buhari described Iran as a “great, advanced” country, saying there is considerable potential for improving cooperation between Tehran and Abuja.
