Iran welcomes Russia's air strikes on "terrorists" in Syria: official

Iran welcomes Russia's air strikes and military operations in Syria against the "terrorist" groups, a senior Iranian foreign official said on Friday.

Iran welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision on "serious fight" against terrorism in Syria, as well as Russia's probable help to Iraq in the future to counter terrorists, Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs was quoted as saying by state IRIB TV

"We believe that Moscow's move (in Syria) is important and effective for fighting terrorism in the region," as the U.S.-led coalition's operation against terrorist groups in Syria has not been successful since its formation last year, he said.

Iran will continue its supports to the Syrian and Iraqi governments in their struggle against terrorism, he added.

On Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said that Iran will support intervention of any country in Syria against militants of the Islamic State (IS), "provided that it is serious."

Commenting on Russia's operation in Syria, he said Iran's position is close to that of the Russians over Syria, and Iran urges an international move to stop terrorist groups in the region, particularly in Syria.

Also on Friday, Iran confirmed that a commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps was killed by the IS in Syria. He was recently serving in Syria as both an advisor to the Syrian government and as an overseer for operations of the pro-Syrian army forces.

Iran, the staunchest regional ally of the Syrian government, was said to have been sending military advisors and training Shiite militants to fight alongside the Syrian forces in the face of jihadi groups in the war-torn country. Endit