The Iranian Minister of Defense, Hossein Dehghan, stated that the U.S. sending troops into Syria to combat ISIS was an act of aggression while he was addressing Iran’s lack of contingency plan in the event of an armistice failure in Syria. Dehghan said,
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“We have a certain idea and a certain goal. We are fighting with radical movements, which act in the territory of Syria, and which evidence absence of security and destabilization, which threat international security. We are dealing with that, so that the Syrian people could determine its fate in calm atmosphere, without intrusion of any foreign states, and expressing its will.”
He also confirmed that Iran consults with Damascus and helps train the Syrian military:
“Our current presence in Syria is limited to consultations, assistance in planning, and help to train those who fight there – the Syrian people and the Syrian army. [Tehran is ready to provide] any necessary assistance if the legitimate Syrian government requests it to safeguard Syria’s sovereignty and national interests.”
It was shortly after that statement that he commented on the United States’ decision to send 250 military men into Syria with this comment,
“We believe it’s an intrusion and aggression and it contradicts with international law. Who invited the Americans to go there? What do they pursue there?”
Perhaps Dehghan should be reminded that his hardliner Iranian leadership ‘invited’ the United States into Syria when it dispatched it’s Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force into Syria (and Iraq) under the guise of an “advisory” role.
Besides supporting the al-Assad regime, what are some other ulterior motives for Iran deploying troops into Syria? Sound off in the comments below!