Russia, Iran to Join Efforts for Syrian Settlement - Putin

Backed by superpowers, terrorism has always targeted independent and anti-imperialism countries, the Bolivian president said.

Both Russian Federation and Iran insist on an inclusive settlement in Syria in which the Syrian people should elect their future leadership through democratic elections.

In a statement issued by Khamenei's office, the Iranian leader asserted that the USA sought to "dominate" Syria and the Middle East - a policy, he added, that constituted a threat to countries of the region, especially Russian Federation and Iran.

Putin, on a one-day visit to attend a gas exporting nations' summit, praised Iran for its support of Russia's operation in Syria.

Mr. Putin, who went to Tehran for a gathering of the Gas-Exporting Countries Forum, is due to meet Tuesday back in Moscow with the king of Jordan, a US ally who has assisted certain groups of Syrian rebels against Mr. Assad.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to be vigilant about the United States' plans in West Asia.

On the eve of his visit to Tehran Putin signed into law a decree cancelling all restrictions on Russia's cooperation with Iran in compliance with the joint comprehensive action plan for the Iranian nuclear program.

In addition to fighting the Islamic State and supporting the Assad regime militarily, Russian Federation seems intent on showcasing its new-found military strength for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation eyes as well. The transcript did not clarify specifically what Putin was referring to, but given Russia's prominent role in political negotiations and its diplomatic efforts with Iran's rivals in the Persian Gulf, there have probably been incentives and pressure to reduce support for Assad.

At the same time, it could mean a closer economic and strategic relationship between the two countries, which have a number of shared interests throughout the Middle East.

Heads of state from nine member countries of GECF, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, are expected to take part in the forum's third summit in Tehran.

After the delivery of the first S300VM system, Tehran will likely withdraw the $4 billion lawsuit it filed with the worldwide Arbitration Court in Geneva against Russian state-owned company Rosoboronexport for refusing to supply five S300PMU-1 battalions to Iran.

Putin made his first visit in 8 years to Tehran yesterday and he was immediately taken to the residence of Ayatollah Ali in Tehran upon his arrival where he presented the Ayatollah with one of the oldest hand written copies of the Holy Qur'an.

The Iranian president also on Tuesday said all regional issues will be solved through political approaches and dialog.

Russia's Tekhnopromexport and Iran's holding company for electricity production at thermal station signed an agreement for the construction of a heat electricity plant with four energy units with a capacity of 350 megawatt and a desalination plant with a daily capacity of 200,000 cubic meters in the vicinity of the city of Bandar Abbas in the Hormozgan Province.