IRNA – Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described Iran as a regional powerhouse, saying that Iran’s presence in Syria is legitimate and undeniable.


In a news meeting late Thursday, he added that Both Iran and Syria are members of the United Nations and Iran is there at the request of the legal government of Damascus. Therefore, Iran’s presence is legitimate.

Nobody can deny the issue whether they like it or not, he stressed.

Noting that many countries are accused of playing a destabilizing role in the region, Nebenzia recalled that Iran has for long announced that it is open for dialogues with countries in the region on regional developments.

Despite Iran’s readiness for holding talks, other parties have not shown interest in this regard, he said.

However, the Russian ambassador to UN said, US presence in Syria is illegitimate.

Noting that some 15,000 Daesh and Al-Nusra forces are still present in south of Syria, he said concerns of Syrian neighbors are understandable and putting an end to Daesh requires collective cooperation.