Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) welcomes his Syrian counterpart Faisal Al-Miqdad (L) in Tehran. August 1, 2023. (AFP)

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Damascus on Wednesday and participated in a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad after their meeting.

Iran's foreign minister condemned the "brutal attacks by the Israeli occupation on Aleppo airport and other civilian areas in Syria." He stressed that acts of aggression and crimes by the occupation have not gone unanswered in the region and that they will continue to be addressed in the future.

He added, "We have agreed that the Iran-Syria Joint High Commission will convene in Tehran soon, chaired by Iran's First Vice President and Syria's Prime Minister. We are particularly focused on enhancing trade relations and economic cooperation, especially among businessmen and traders from both countries."

Amir-Abdollahian expressed his satisfaction with the resumption of pilgrimage and tourism trips for Iranians to Syria. He also discussed the activities of terrorist groups and the US efforts to organize these groups while maintaining their occupying presence in Syria under the pretext of fighting ISIS.

Amir-Abdollahian: Transportation routes in the region cannot be blocked

Regarding US troops attempting to block the border between Syria and Iraq, the Iranian diplomat stated that "Iraq's borders with Syria and neighboring countries are based on friendship. America should stop causing trouble for the people in the region."

He advised US soldiers to return home and urged American authorities to leave the region to its people. Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that historical transportation routes in the region cannot be blocked, and such actions contradict Western and US claims about human rights.

Amir-Abdollahian further reiterated Iran's commitment to Syria's security as its own, asserting strong support for Syria's leadership, army, government, and people to achieve a safe, stable, and developed region.

Highlighting the importance of friendly relations between Syria and Turkey, he stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, including Syria and Turkey. He emphasized that Iran will continue its efforts to resolve misunderstandings between Turkey and Syria and establish peace and security along their common border.

He concluded by mentioning discussions on the Palestinian issue and condemning the desecration of the holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark.

Miqdad calls for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad hailed the heroic resilience of the Syrian and Iranian people in the face of Western conspiracies, citing it as a strong reflection of their support for their respective leaderships and the policies both nations pursue.

Al-Miqdad reaffirmed the importance of the steadfastness displayed by the Palestinian people and citizens of the Occupied Golan Heights, underscoring their inevitable victory over the daily brutal practices of the Israeli occupation.

Regarding international matters, the two ministers engaged in detailed discussions, including the recent expansion of the BRICS group. This expansion, according to al-Miqdad, strengthens the concept of multipolarity as the optimal approach for addressing contemporary global issues.

On the subject of US military presence along the Syrian-Iraqi border, al-Miqdad emphasized that this mobilization aims to pressure the Syrian state to alter its positions, a strategy that will not succeed. He noted Iraq's resolute stance against allowing aggression on Syria from its territory, which bolsters Syrian-Iraqi relations.

Al-Miqdad called for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory to restore normal relations.