BICOM

An AP report claims that Iran played an integral role in encouraging Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.

Russia’s deployment has seen Moscow launch air strikes at what it says are ISIS and terror targets during the last week. However, the United States yesterday estimated that more than 90 per cent of Russian air strikes so far have hit non-ISIS facilities, strengthening suspicions that Russia is propping up the Assad regime in Syria rather than tackling ISIS. Also yesterday, Russia appeared to intensify its military involvement in the Syrian conflict, launching 26 cruise missiles at targets from more than one thousand miles away. Meanwhile, Russian jets provided air cover for Assad’s troops and Hezbollah fighters to make advances on the ground.

AP says that Russia was moved to intervene in Syria, in part due to encouragement from Iran. Apparently, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, who is subject to a United Nations travel ban, visited Moscow in August. In a meeting with Russia’s President Putin, Soleimani apparently said that Russian involvement was vital in order to head off the growing influence of ISIS, which he said would reach the Caucuses region in Russia’s sphere of influence. AP says that as a result of the meeting, a joint intelligence sharing centre was established in Baghdad, involving Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia. Officials from both Russia and Iran refused to comment on the AP report.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei yesterday banned any further negotiations or talks with the United States, just three months after the two countries agreed a deal over Iran’s nuclear activities and ambitions. Khamenei told Revolutionary Guards commanders that “Negotiations with the United States open gates to their economic, cultural, political and security influence.” He added that, “Even during the nuclear negotiations they tried to harm our national interests.” Khamenei’s comments will disappoint those who hoped that July’s nuclear agreement would signal a new Iranian attitude towards the West.