Iran to UN: US, Israel preventing Syria from returning to normal

In a meeting with visiting United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in Tehran on Sunday, Amir-Abdollahian hailed the Norwegian diplomat’s efforts to promote national dialogue, peace and stability in Syria, and underlined that the Islamic Republic has greatly contributed to such attempts.

He also reiterated Iran’s stance on the settlement of the Syrian crisis through political means and said Tehran views the UN as the body responsible to help put a peaceful end to the conflict in the Arab nation.

Amir-Abdollahian criticized the illegal presence of US occupation forces in Syria as well as Israeli airstrikes on the war-ravaged country, stating that such practices derail the political settlement process.

He called on the international community and the United Nations to take effective measures in this regard.

The foreign minister pointed to the Syrian refugee crisis and sanctions imposed on the Damascus government, saying that the Syrian conflict cannot be resolved adequately if these issues are not addressed properly.

Pedersen described the status quo in Syria as stable, saying: “Neither side is currently mulling over regime change in Syria.”

He stressed Syria’s national sovereignty, political establishment and territorial integrity.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says Israel and its Western and regional allies are aiding terror groups that are wreaking havoc in the country.

Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the resistance movement Hezbollah which played a key role in helping Syrian forces in the fight against terrorists.

Israel mostly keeps quiet about its attacks on Syrian territories which many view as knee-jerk reaction to the Syrian government’s increasing success in confronting terrorism.

Israel has been a main supporter of terrorist groups that have opposed the government of President Bashar al-Assad since foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria.

The US military has stationed forces and equipment in eastern and northeastern Syria, with the Pentagon claiming that the deployment is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.

Damascus, however, says the unlawful deployment is meant to plunder the country’s resources.

Former US president Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in Syria for its oil.

After failing to oust the Syrian government with the help of its proxies and direct involvement in the conflict, the US government has now stepped up its economic war on the Arab country.