Ayatollah Says US 'Containable' in Meeting with Putin, Erdogan

TEHRAN: Russian and Turkish presidents during their visit to Iranian capital Friday called on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who called for closer relations and synergy among regional countries to to contain the US, because "it is a danger to humanity and it is possible to contain it."

First to meet Ayartollah was President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who traveled to Tehran to take part in a key trilateral summit, hosted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and also attended by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, focusing on Syria.

"Unity and cooperation among Muslim countries will definitely prepare the ground for the settlement of regional countries and this is the reason that the arrogance, led by the US, is concerned about cooperation and closeness among Muslim countries and the formation of an Islamic power," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Iranian leader added that this concern is the reason behind the US enmity and grudge against powerful Muslim countries.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey are two dignified and powerful regional countries and have common interests in the Muslim world. So, the two countries' cooperation in political and economic fields must be further expanded," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.

The Leader pointed to the positive cooperation between Tehran and Ankara and stressed the importance of strengthening common grounds between the two sides.

Ayatollah Khamenei hailed Erdogan's stance on the issue of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and added that Palestine is always an "important" topic which should not be overlooked.

Turkish President on his part said lack of coherence among Muslim countries is among the factors leading to the ongoing issues and expressed hope that regional woes would be solved through cooperation.

He added that the situation in the region has greater sensitivity due to the West's approach toward independent Muslim countries and called on Iran and Turkey to further develop cordial relations.

In his meeting with rthe Russian President Iran leader said the developments in Syria and the US defeat in the Arab country show that Washington can be contained.

"Cooperation between Iran and Russia on the Syrian issue is a prominent example and a very good experience of bilateral cooperation," Iran leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that the two countries can expand cooperation on global issues, saying, "One of the cases that the two sides can cooperate with each other is to contain the US, because it is a danger to humanity and it is possible to contain it."

Ayatollah stated that the Americans suffered a real defeat in Syria and failed to achieve their goals.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said sanctions imposed by the US on Iran, Russia and Turkey are a very strong common ground for strengthening cooperation, and urged Tehran and Moscow to develop political and economic relations and follow up on the agreements of the summit in Tehran.

Iran leader stressed the importance of pursuing non-dollar transactions in trade.

Although the US now raises Iran's missile program and regional developments, their problem with the Islamic Republic relates to issues beyond them, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"The US has been seeking to topple the Islamic Republic over the past 40 years, but Iran has managed to make substantial advancements during this period. The resistance of the Islamic Republic and its advances are another successful example that the US can be contained," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Ayatollah also pointed to the deplorable situation of the Yemeni people and their killing at the hands of Saudi Arabia, adding, "The Saudis will definitely fail to achieve a result in Yemen and will not be able to bring the resilient Yemeni people to their knees."