Iranian Source Denies Presence of Iranian Military in Syria as 'Absolute Falsehood'

On Friday, October 2, the state news agency IRNA reported that an unnamed senior political official denied reports about the entry of Iranian military personnel into Syria for ground operations against Bashar al-Assad's opponents, calling it 'absolute falsehood.' Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran, predicted that Russia would also intervene in Iraq in favor of its government, referring to Russia's military operations in Syria. Reuters had reported on Thursday that hundreds of Iranian soldiers had entered Syria over the past 10 days to participate in a large ground operation supported by Russian airstrikes against Assad's opponents. On the same day, Josh Earnest, White House spokesman, stated that he could not confirm reports of Iranian military presence in Syria for ground operations, but such a development would be a 'notable and significant example' of the impact of Russian military action, which would worsen the situation. Russia began its airstrikes on Wednesday against militia groups opposing the Damascus regime in the provinces of Hama, Homs, and Idlib, drawing criticism from the U.S. and its Western allies. However, Marzieh Afkham, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, supported Russia's actions, calling it 'a step towards fighting terrorism and the crisis it has caused in the region.' Mohsen Rezaei also commented on the military presence of Russia and China in Syria, stating that 'Russia has seriously intervened and may also enter Iraq in favor of its government.' He emphasized that 'China is not yet seriously present in Syria.' Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior advisor and military assistant to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had previously stated that Iran and Russia are 'coordinated' and are providing 'military advice' to the Syrian government alongside Hezbollah. Russia and Iran are the two main allies of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Meanwhile, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on September 9 that Iran and Greece had allowed the use of their airspace for sending Russian aid to Syria. The Lebanese newspaper As-Safir, close to Hezbollah, reported on September 15 that Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the overseas branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, had traveled to Moscow for the second time in a month as part of efforts for joint cooperation between Russia and Iran in Syria. Soleimani's previous trip to Russia faced criticism from the U.S., but Iran and Russia denied reports about this trip.