Russia's envoy to UN: Iran, Turkey will eventually leave Syria

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stressed that everyone, including Iran, Turkey and even Russia should eventually leave Syria.

The senior Russian diplomat reiterated Moscow’s call for establishing a “platform” to discuss the problems of the MENA region.

Referring to the situation in Syria’s Idlib, Nebenzya clarified that “this situation cannot remain stagnant forever. It should be addressed instead. We have recently intensified our contacts with our Turkish partners in de-escalation zones in Idlib. We are fully aware that Idlib is home to many civilians, including those displaced from all over Syria. We know that they are suffering under the rule of the terrorists and wishing to break free from tyranny. Civilians should not just be collateral damage to a legitimate war waged against terrorists.”

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“Iran is part of the region and not a foreign entity. It has legitimate interests outside national borders. In addition to other things, Iran aims to guarantee its national security. Other Arab countries, Israel or Turkey have similar interests, but they are referring to the threats posed by Iran ignoring the one Iran is facing. Those threats have become clear and imminent nowadays, and are currently being announced to the public,” he continued.

Washington’s recent speeches and moves, including the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement signed with Iran and the introduction of large-scale sanctions only serve to increase the risks of escalating tensions in the region, he explained.

“As for the concerns related to Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of the Middle East countries, there are divergent views, even among Arabs themselves,” he said, adding: “The only condition is for these interests to be legitimate, and if there are any concerns, they must be resolved by political and diplomatic means.”