Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday, stressed that preserving Syria’s territorial integrity “is of great importance”, adding that any military action in the north of the Arab state would benefit terrorists.

Mr Khamenei made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also attended by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

He said such military actions in northern Syria would harm Türkiye, Syria, and the entire region, as well as prevent the Syrian government from implementing the expected political measure.

The Iranian top leader said ensuring the Muslim world’s glory and greatness depended on resolving differences and remaining cognisant in the face of divisive policies.

This is according to the official news agency IRNA.

He highlighted the necessity of fighting terrorism, assuring Iran will cooperate with Türkiye in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Khamenei added the issues pertaining to Syria must be resolved through negotiations, urging Iran, Türkiye, Syria, and Russia to solve the problems through dialogue.

He called for improving bilateral relations in all areas, saying Ankara had always been against U.S. unilateral sanctions on Tehran.

Turning to the two countries’ years-long battles against terrorists, Mr Erdogan noted that there were terror groups supported and heavily armed by Western countries.

Mr Erdogan arrived in Iran on Monday night to take part in a trilateral meeting on Tuesday to be also attended by Raisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Syrian crisis.

Earlier in the day, the Iranian and Turkish presidents met and signed a number of cooperation documents as well as a memorandum of understanding.

(Xinhua/NAN)