Iran 'understands Turkish concerns' on US plan

MOSCOW (AA) - Iran understands Turkish concerns over plans of the U.S. in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday.

Speaking at the Discussion Club Valday in Moscow, Zarif said: “Concerns of our Turkish neighbors about the U.S. plans in the region can be understood and we need to deal with these concerns. And it is best to do this legally through the Syrian government.”

He also called the U.S. attempt to use the Kurdish factor in Syria as “short-sighted”.

About the Iranian military bases in Syria, he said: “No, we don’t have any.”

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets were being destroyed and "utmost care" was being taken to not harm any civilian.