Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said during his current visit to Syria, that his country was against changing the Iraqi regime in line with a U.S. formula.
Aref made these remarks after meeting with Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam who emphasized the need for a legitimate resistance against foreign occupation.
In addition, Aref told reporters that his visit to Damascus was aimed at discussing with the "Syrian brothers" the developments of the regional and international conditions as a foundation to adopting common positions.
Regarding the recent U.S. threats on the Islamic Republic of Iran, Aref conveyed, "the threats are not the first of their kind."
"The threats that have been going on since the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, adopted a tougher nature after U.S. President George W. Bush took office," he added, noting that the Iranian stance on the threats was similar to what it used to be.
With regards to Tehran’s stand, if the United States tried to change the Iraqi regime through military force, the Iranian top official said, "We are against any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other countries."
"We believe that the future of a country should be determined by its own sons", he announced.
Bush has signaled out Iran, along with Iraq and North Korea as belonging to an “axis of evil."
Regarding the Lebanese Hizbullah resistance group, Aref said, "the issue was not discussed with the Syrian leaders." However, he added, that both Tehran and Damascus support the national resistance in the region.
Replying to a question on the Iranian-Iraqi rapprochement following the American threats to the two neighboring countries, Aref said Iranian foreign policy always sought to put aside the old differences while trying to solve them in a friendly way in order to build a peaceful and prosperous future.
Furthermore, he expressed hope that discussions between Iran and Iraq would lead to positive results as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, on his part, Khaddam told reporters that the recent U.S. threats on Iran have existed for a long time, "Our firm position on the threats is more important than the threats themselves," he said.
"Resistance against foreign occupation is a legitimate right for all nations. There is no power that can deprive any occupied country of this right or undermine it," he added.
The visit of the Iranian first vice president to Syria is regarded as an important one, as it reasserts the strategic alliance between Iran and Syria after increasing U.S. pressures being exerted on Syria to stop backing the Hizbullah.
The visit also followed the U.S. accusations against Iran as being part of the "axis of evil". Aref arrived in Damascus on Wednesday for a 3-day visit, as head of a senior political economic delegation. (Albawaba.com)
