Iran to Reopen Damascus Embassy after Security Is Guaranteed: Spokesman
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the resumption of the embassy’s activities requires preparations, including ensuring the security of the embassy and its staff.
The embassy was closed after it was stormed by armed opposition groups following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria earlier this month.
Asked about Iran’s presence in Syria over the years, Baghaei said the presence was based on the request by the Arab country’s government and Iran’s exit from Syria was also a responsible move.
“We were present in Syria at the invitation of the legitimate Syrian government to ensure security and to combat violent extremism. Our presence was not aimed at defending any individual, but rather our concern was to help maintain the security of the region and Syria. We believe that ensuring Syria’s security is beneficial for the entire region.”
Another question was about the resumption of Iran-Syria ties, to which the spokesman said an interim government has not yet been formed in the Arab country as Syria is in a transitional phase.
Iran is waiting for this transitional phase to take place and has postponed the establishment of relations until after the formation of a legitimate government in Syria, he went on to say.
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Dismissing as naïve remarks by an EU spokesperson who has said Iran has no place in Syria’s future, Baghaei said Europe had better take a look at its own performance in the past.
He urged the European Union to reconsider its conduct and opt for playing a constructive role in the region’s security.
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