Lavrov: Tehran Part of Int’l Anti-Terror Front

Russia rejected allegations by the US that Iran sponsors terrorism, stressing that Tehran must be present in the anti-terror front.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the statements on Monday, noting that Iran has never had ties with terrorist organizations.

"Iran has never been seen having any ties with Daesh [an Arabic acronym for the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group] or al-Nusra Front, or any other structure affiliated with these terrorist organizations and included in the relevant UN Security Council list," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Press TV. 

He said Iran has contributed to the battle against IS in Syria by the request of the government in Damascus, noting that Russia has always advocated a universal front against terrorism.

"I am convinced that if we have an objective approach toward potential participants of such a coalition, Iran, of course, needs to be part of our common efforts," Lavrov stressed. 

The top Russian diplomat was responding to remarks by US President Donald Trump on Sunday during an interview with Fox News, in which he said Iran was "terrorist state number one."

On Saturday, US Defense Secretary James Mattis also called Iran "the single biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world."  

Reacting to that remark on Monday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said, "We disagree with this postulate."

He added that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is currently under arrangement.

"Such contacts are being prepared. We'll inform you of the possible date in due time."

Iranian officials have also rejected the US accusations and stress that Iran is a key country on the battlefront against terrorism. 

Iran has been offering advisory military support to Iraq and Syria in the two Arab countries' fight against terrorism. The Islamic Republic has been cooperating with Russia in assisting the Syrian government.