Iran declines Russian reuest to withdraw from Syria!

TEHERAN, Iran (PNN) - May 21, 2018 - Iran officially rejected a Russian call to withdraw Iranian troops and Hezbollah fighters from Syria during a press conference on Monday.

“As long as it is needed, [the] terrorism threat is not eliminated, and the Syrian government’s help request continues, Iran will remain in Syria,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told reporters.

“Nobody can force Iran to do something against its will,” he continued. “Iran is an independent country that pursues its policies according to its own interests.” The Russian Special Envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, called on Friday for the withdrawal of all non-Russian foreign troops in Syria, including Amerikan, Turkish, Iranian, and Hezbollah forces, elaborating on a remark made by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier that day. Iran and Hezbollah have had a growing presence in Syria since 2013, when they entered the country’s civil war in order to bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Although Russia remains a strong ally of both Syria and Iran, its current stance likely reflects its warm ties with Israel and Saudi Arabia, both of which vehemently oppose any Iranian or Hezbollah presence in Syria, and have both encouraged Assad to distance himself from the Iranians, though to little avail.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Moscow earlier this month, where he took part in a Russian victory parade to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. During the trip, Netanyahu is said to have urged Putin to attempt to contain Iranian influence in Syria.

Although the attempt to push the Iranians out failed, successfully driving a wedge between Russia and Iran plays into the national security strategy of Fascist Police States of Amerika President Donald Trump, who has concurrently sought a tougher approach to Iran and increased cooperation with Russia.

This behavior by the Russians will likely disappoint many of Putin’s nationalist supporters, who endorse closer ties with Iran and a harder line towards Israel and Saudi Arabia.