Ali Akbar Velayati has stressed that Iran will continue to assist Syria, and Russian troops will continue to have a presence in Syria in order to make sure that terrorists won't re-establish themselves and continue their activities in the war-torn country.

The former foreign minister, and top adviser and aide to the Leader of the Islamic revolution, Ali Akbar Velayati, speaking on Friday at the  Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, said:  "Iran plans to continue its assistance to the Syrian government. I believe, if we leave the country — Russia will follow suit ,  and then the same terrorists will return back again,".

A senior adviser on foreign policy to the Leader of the Islamic revolution, and president Rouhani's special envoy to Moscow, Ali Akbar Velayati, has stressed that Tehran-Moscow relations are stronger than ever before, and relations are certain to be expanded in the future.

Talking to reporters and journalists after his meeting with Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, Ali Akbar Velayati said he personally handed over a message from the Leader of the Islamic revolution, and a message from president Rouhani to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In further remarks, Velayati emphasized that the US-led coalition was operating without permission from the government in  Damascus.

Velayati also noted, that Iran had no trust for the US administration.

"We do not want to negotiate with the Americans. If they have illusions that we will come to hold negotiations, we do not need this. They are not worthy of addressing them. They in fact violate the obligations on Iran, approved by the UN Security Council. Why should we negotiate with them?" Velayati stressed.

Velayati's words were a response to Donald Trump's statement earlier  that Tehran would "ask him for a deal at some point."

Senior adviser to the Leader of Islamic revolution, Ali Akbar Velayati, held talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday morning. The meeting at the suburban residence of president Putin in Novo-Ogaryovo.

During the meeting, Velayati delivered an oral message from the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, and President Hassan Rouhani to Russian President Vladimir Putin.