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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
London - Asharq Al-Awsat

Khamenei Hits Out at US Presence in Syria, Iraq

A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Oct. 24, 2020. AFP

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei slammed on Thursday the presence of US troops in Syria and Iraq, saying Washington should swiftly withdraw its forces from both countries.

“They (the Americans) refer to Iran’s presence in the region with hatred and resentment. While we do not have a military presence…Wherever we are present, we are there to defend legitimate governments at their own request. But they (Americans) themselves attack a country without permission and establish a military base,” he claimed.

Khamenei accused the US of creating ISIS without offering any evidence.

They allow ISIS to destroy and sell Syrian oil, "then they say ‘we are fighting ISIS,” Fars agency quoted the Supreme leader as saying.

Khamenei then defended Iran’s role in both Syria and Iraq.

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