Russia role in Persian Gulf paradigm shift instrumental: FM

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Russia can play a key role in bringing about a "paradigm shift" in the Persian Gulf region through its rising influence in the Middle East.

According to Press TV, in a post on his official Twitter account on Monday, Zarif said he was delighted to address the Valdai Club conference on the Middle East in the Russian capital of Moscow.

"With Russia's sober strategic perspective and its growing influence in West Asia, it can play an instrumental role to help a paradigm shift in the Persian Gulf to one based on dialogue and inclusion," the top Iranian diplomat added.

Addressing the Valdai Club conference, Zarif said Syria is facing a "new wave" of US intervention, where Washington is still pursuing geoeconomic interests in the Arab country.

"Unfortunately we see a new wave of foreign intervention and occupation particularly by the US, driven by an obsession,” the Iranian foreign minister told the conference.

Russia and Iran have both been offering Syria advisory military help upon request from the Syrian government.

President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, earlier this month expressed the opposition of their respective countries to the presence of foreign forces in Syria without the consent of the Syrian government and nation.

Presidents Rouhani and Putin held a telephone conversation on Tuesday, discussing a range of topics, mainly Syria.

SS