Iranian-Russian defense cooperation ‘not unexpected’
Adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has said Russian and Iranian military cooperation which is defensive should not provoke shock and awe in the international community as an unexpected development.
Speaking at a meeting with Austria Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger on Wednesday, Ali Akbar Velayati told reporters after the session that Austria had maintained her political and economic ties with Iran despite the perturbations in Iran’s situation in international community; "we have worked closely and friendly with Austria in all areas," he added. "What happened in Turkey [coup d’état] quite was unpredictable; we cannot predict the events; developments in Turkey will affect Europe and the Middle East."
Velayati underlined that regional and international priorities and problems had been in a constant state of change; “we do not know how political arena will change in the future."
Leader’s adviser told the press that Iranian-Russian defensive cooperation had been a factor of Iran’s view of the east which entailed, Velayati underlined, “developing strategic relations with Russia and China.”
“Strategic relations would entail joint battle against terrorism, imperialism and their allies and mercenaries; Iranian-Russian front now faces mercenaries and terrorists from 80 countries which fights Assad in Syria; they have been killing innocent civilians and naturally Iran and Russia will be in the front fighting them,” Velayati argued. “This should not be viewed from Riyadh or Washington or any other European capital with shock and awe, mixed with defiance; this is a comprehensive appreciation of the situation in the region especially in Syria,” he concluded.
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