In a statement early on Thursday, Qassemi described Iran as an ancient, rational, and stable country that gives stability to others as well, and stressed that the Islamic Republic basically sees no need for increased tension and conflict in the region.
“It is indeed the occupying and aggressive Zionist regime that has seriously jeopardized the region’s security, stability, and peace and must be blamed for doing so,” he added.
“In Iran’s view, it is the legal right of the legitimate government of Syrian to defend its territorial integrity and national sovereignty against any aggression,” he noted, once again dismissing the ‘baseless’ claims about Tehran’s role in the recent shoot-down of an Israeli jet fighter over the Syrian territory.
Qassemi said the Islamic Republic does not follow the policy of escalation in the region, but it deeply believes that the international community and all countries in the world must take a major and big step against the occupation, repeated aggressions and destabilizing moves of the Zionist regime.
“The international community needs to give a decisive and proper response to the false propaganda and warmongering of a regime that believes the continuation of its illegitimate and fake existence hinges on tension and conflict in the region,” he added.
The Iranian spokesman made the remarks in reaction to German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert, who claimed “Iran’s military engagement in Syria and Lebanon, in particular the militias it controls, is leading to a dangerous escalation in the Syrian civil war.”
The German spokesman also defended the Zionist regime’s airstrikes on Syria, describing them as a move to protect itself against attack.
On Saturday, the Israeli air force flew a series of airstrikes against Syrian positions, according to the Israeli military. However, on their way back, at least one of the Israeli fighter jets came under anti-aircraft fire over Syrian territory, and crashed on Israeli territory.
