Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has said Russia’s military intervention in Syria against terrorist groups was well timed and considered.

“We see Russia’s presence in the region, which has been upon a request by the Syrian government, as a timely and well-thought-out move,” Larijani said while addressing the meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in the Russian town of Sochi on Thursday.

He said that Russia’s air campaign in Syria sent a “serious warning” to the terrorists in Syria, adding that the bombings have already proven to be effective.

Larijani told the high-profile meeting, which was also attended by President Vladimir Putin, that Russia’s move in Syria would encourage other anti-terror governments to take action.

------Senior MP calls U.S.-led campaign against ISIL a ‘paper coalition’-----
The Iranian parliament speaker also slammed Washington and its allies for their propaganda in airstrikes against ISIL in Syria, saying the U.S.-led “paper coalition” has failed to achieve any significant results over the past year and has even emboldened the terrorists.

Larijani said weapons supplied by the U.S. and its allies to so-called moderate militants in Syria have ended up in the hands of terrorist groups like the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

Russia began its military campaign against terrorists in Syria on September 30 upon a request from the Damascus government, shortly after the upper house of the Russian parliament gave Putin the mandate to use military force in Syria.


---------Putin, Larijani hold talks on regional issues including Syria crisis

In a meeting on Thursday with Putin on the sidelines of the conference, Larijani said Tehran appreciates Moscow’s efforts to help settle conflicts in the Middle East region, particularly in Syria.

Iran “considers Russia’s role and its efforts to establish regional peace and stability as effective and useful,” Larijani noted.

--------- Putin: The role of Iran in Syria is crucial

Putin, for his part, highlighted Iran’s constructive role in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria, Press TV reported.

Without Iran’s engagement all initiatives to resolve the Syrian crisis will be in vain, the Russian president noted.

Two conferences were previously held in an attempt to resolve the Syrian crisis in the Swiss city of Geneva, one in 2012 and the other in 2014. However, both events ended in failure amid the absence of Iran, an important regional player.

--------- Larijani praises Russian role in nuclear talks

Larijani also lauded Moscow’s positive role during the nuclear talks with six world powers that culminated in an agreement over Tehran’s nuclear energy program, expressing hope that bilateral ties would expand.

Larijani thanked the Russia leader’s constructive role in the course nuclear negotiations, saying Moscow-Tehran ties would definitely flourish under the new circumstances created by the breakthrough in the nuclear discussions.

------ Iran says determined in its anti-terror bid-------

Upon his arrival in Tehran from Sochi on Friday, Larijani said the country’s determination to fight off terrorism attracted the participants’ considerable attention, Tasnim reported.

Larijani said attendees at the meeting regarded Iran as a major country with firm determination to stem terrorism.

Larijani also noted that there was a consensus among participants in the gathering that battling terrorism requires an international campaign.

He described Russia as a major country with influential role in the regional and international developments.


MD/PA