Iran calls on US to stop nurturing terrorists in Syria

Iran has called on the US to stop grooming terrorists to wreak havoc in Syria, saying the Arab state’s crisis stems from Washington’s instrumentalization of terrorists groups.

“The US must stop [its] military approach and support for the policy of terrorist-nurturing in order to pursue political solutions in Syria,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Tuesday.

Afkham’s remarks came one day after US State Department Spokesman John Kirby claimed that Iran continues to support terrorist organizations and create problems not just for Syria but the Middle East.

She said such “repetitive” allegations run counter to realities on the ground, adding that the US has been passing the buck with regard to the settlement of regional conflicts.

“The serious and real problems in the Syrian crisis stem from military intervention and dual policies of the US and its allies as well as the instrumentalization of terrorist groups,” said Afkham, adding that Iran fulfills its regional responsibilities based on its obligations and regional interests.

She said the US, in collaboration with its allies, including Saudi Arabia, has formed a so-called anti-terror coalition after creating and training terrorist groups like al-Qaeda, Taliban, al-Nusra Front and IS.

Afkham said US financial and military support for the so-called “moderate” terrorists has caused numerous problems and complicated conditions in the region.

“A halt to such a dangerous approach and putting an end to ambiguous and opportunistic behaviors will be one of necessary and serious steps to help settle the Syrian crisis,” Afkham said.

More than 250,000 people have been killed in Syria since March 2011.