Iran: The Syrian file is a matter of dispute with Turkey, and the war is not the solution

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh considered that the Syrian file is a matter of dispute between his country and Turkey and stressed that his country’s position on developments there is clear, and the war is not the solution.

Khatibzadeh said that his country opposes the upcoming Turkish military operation in Syria. He indicated that his country informed Ankara of the need to preserve “the unity of the Syrian territories.”

Iran has previously expressed its opposition to the upcoming Turkish military operation after the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced his country’s determination to resume its military operations in northern Syria to establish a safe zone through seizing control over the cities of “Tal Rifaat” and “Manbij”. Tehran is concerned of this seizure due to the strategic significance of “Tal Rifaat” city, which is near to the Shiite towns of “Nubul” and “al-Zahra”.      

He made it clear that his forces will counter the Turkish forces in “Nubul” and “al-Zahra” if Turkey launches the military operation and seizes control over the regions.

Khatibzadeh had previously stated in late May “Iran is opposed to any Turkish military action and use of force on all countries’ territories with the aim of settling the dispute between the two sides as this is considered a violation to the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of those countries”. He also considered that the upcoming Turkish operation would lead to more escalation and complication in Syria.