Syrian President Bashar al Assad meets with Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami
Iran and Syria signed a deal for military cooperation in a meeting between the defence ministers of the two countries in Damascus, the Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.
Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami travelled to Damascus on Sunday for a two-day visit, meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and senior military officials, Tasnim reported.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday hailed his country’s relations with Turkey."Turkey is a leading country among those we have good relations with," he told Iran’s state television.The top Iranian diplomat said Tehran would cooperate with Ankara to put off wildfire in the Iraqi part of Hour al-Azim wetland.He said his country would hold talks with Turkey and Iraq in an effort to resolve environment and water-related troubles in the region.Zarif said recent economic difficulties in Turkey were triggered by the psychological atmosphere created by the U.S.Turkey-U.S. relations took a nosedive on Aug. 1, when the Trump administration announced sanctions on Turkey’s interior and justice ministers after Ankara refused to release an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.On Aug. 10, Trump upped the ante by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.In response, Turkey raised tariffs on several U.S.-made goods, including alcohol and tobacco products as well as vehicles.Political tensions between Ankara and Washington had sparked worries in markets, but the Turkish lira has staged a recovery last week, after positive messages from European capitals and Qatar’s decision to invest $15 billion in Turkey.Iranian parliament removes finance minister from officeIran defence minister Amir Hatami arrives in SyriaAmerica is waging 'psychological war' against IranRussia says new US sanctions will add to tensionsBolton says US sanctions to stay until Russia changes behaviourRussia says all options on table for response to US sanctions
Iran foreign minister hails relations with Turkey
Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami arrived in Syria on Sunday for meetings with "senior defence and military officials" according to the Tasnim news agency.Iranian forces have backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's civil war."We hope to have a productive role in the reconstruction of Syria," Hatami said on arrival in Syria, according to Fars News.U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said last week that Iran should remove its forces from Syria.Senior Iranian officials have said their military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and they have no immediate plans to withdraw.More than 1,000 Iranians, including senior members of the elite Revolutionary Guards, have been killed in Syria since 2012.Ten killed in boiler explosion in IranMashhad hosts conference on Iran/Iraq/Syria cooperationUN invites Iran, Russia, Turkey to talks on Syria next monthMillions in rural Iran lack social securityEU agrees 18 mln euro development aid for Iran
Iran defence minister Amir Hatami arrives in Syria
Iranian forces have backed Assad in the country’s civil war.
Tasnim did not provide any details about the military cooperation deal.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said last week that Iran should remove its forces from Syria.
Senior Iranian officials have said their military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad regime and they have no immediate plans to withdraw.