Iran is not seeking to establish a military foothold in war-ravaged Syria because the strength of the Arab state's army renders it redundant, says a senior lawmaker.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking a military base in Syria. We actually believe the country's army is so strong that there is no need for that," Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told reporters at a press conference in Damascus on Tuesday, IRNA reported.
*** Military Prowess
He said Syria demonstrated its military prowess during last month's US-led airstrikes, which were carried out in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack by government forces—a claim dismissed by Damascus.
"The fact that the Syrian army managed to shoot down tens of the missiles belonging to the United States and its allies during the recent aggression was a display of power in the region in cooperation with Iran's advisory assistance."
Warplanes and ships from the US, Britain and France launched airstrikes at storage and research facilities near Damascus and Homs on April 14.
Kremlin officials said Russian-supplied Syrian air defense systems intercepted 71 of the 103 cruise missiles that were launched during the allied attacks.
*** Advisory Role
Boroujerdi said Iranian military advisors have been deployed in Syria at the invitation of its government to share their experience with the country's armed forces, adding that Israel is angry at such a presence.
"In fact, the presence of the Islamic Republic in the resistance front—with Syria naturally being at its forefront—has had a very decisive impact in cooperation with Russia and particularly the Syrian forces themselves, including the army and popular forces," noted the parliamentarian, who met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this week.
