Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani told Shargh daily in interview published Saturday that "Contrary to the unlawful presence of the US and some regional countries in Syria, Iran's presence is not imposed and is not the result of an illegal military aggression."
Shamkhani said Iran strongly supports Russia's efforts to purge the Syrian-Jordanian border of terrorists and restore the Syrian army's control over the region.
"This move is a positive step for further control of the Syrian government on its territories occupied by terrorist groups," he noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks فhe Iranian official also said there is a link between Israel's stepped threats against Tehran and the defeat of Takfiri terrorists in Iraq and Syria which has made Tel Aviv angry.
Shamkhani said, "While we understand this anger [by Israel], we will be taking any necessary action or measure to preserve our interests and security against any aggressor."
The Syrian army recently said it was preparing to recapture the strategic areas near the Golan Heights, prompting the US to threaten Damascus with "firm and appropriate measures."
