Attack on Syria would be seen as attack on Iran: Teheran aide
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Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi (left), welcomes Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi, after his arrival in Teheran, Iran on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013. Iran would consider any attack on Syria an attack on itself, a senior government official was quoted as saying on Saturday, Jan 26, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
DUBAI (REUTERS) - Iran would consider any attack on Syria an attack on itself, a senior government official was quoted as saying on Saturday.
"Syria has a very basic and key role in the region for promoting firm policies of resistance... For this reason an attack on Syria would be considered an attack on Iran and Iran's allies," said Mr Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the Mehr news agency.
Iran is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and sees Damascus as part of an axis of opposition to Israeli and Western influence in the Middle East.
Teheran has warned against Mr Assad's overthrow as he battles a near two-year-long uprising against his rule.
