A deputy foreign minister reiterated Tehran's determination to stick to its advisory role in Iraq and Syria conflicts, describing it as "vital" to the restoration of regional security.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is proud to resolutely continue providing advisory aid in the fight against terrorism in the region because it is vital to the security and stability of regional as well as non-regional countries," Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also told IRNA on Monday.
Referring to an ongoing operation to retake Fallujah, the second largest Iraqi city controlled by the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group, he highlighted Iran's role in blocking the advances of the group, which has captured swaths of Iraq and neighboring Syria.
"If it weren't for Tehran and effective measures by the armies and popular forces in Syria and Iraq in the campaign against terrorism, no safe spot could have been found in the strategic West Asian region," he said.
Thousands of Iraqi police, soldiers and militiamen, backed by Iran, have surrounded Fallujah as part of the operation to drive IS militants out.
Some hostile governments, including the Saudis, have criticized Iran's presence in Iraq and Syria.
Tehran says its military advisers in Iraq are there at Baghdad's request to help Iraqi forces fight militants.
"The presence of Iran's military advisers in Iraq … is at the request of the country's legitimate government to assist in fighting terrorists," an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman recently said, according to Fars News Agency.
Amir-Abdollahian noted that the effective elimination of terrorists depends on a serious international will.
"Should the world demonstrate serious resolve in the combat against terrorism, terrorists will definitely have no future in the region," he said.
"Regrettably state and non-state sponsors of terrorists and those intending to make an instrumental use of terrorism not only threaten the region and the world, but also suffered grave consequences themselves."
Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran stresses the importance of focusing on diplomatic solutions, engaging in a serious campaign against terrorism and promoting comprehensive cooperation in the region.
