Iran backs countries truly fighting ISIL: Velayati

A senior Iranian official has cast doubt on the efficiency of the so-called coalition led by the US against the ISIL militants, expressing Tehran’s support for countries sincerely battling the terrorist group.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports friendly countries, which are fighting terrorism and countering the ISIL,” Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, told reporters on Sunday.

Velayati, who is also the President of the Expediency Council's Center for Strategic Research, slammed the "fabricated" US-led coalition against the ISIL terrorists, saying the alliance has no other application other than propaganda purposes.

He said Iran is aware of the fact that certain US and NATO allies are supporting the ISIL terrorists, adding, “The Islamic Republic opposes terrorism and is genuinely fighting against terrorism.”

The United States and its allies have been launching airstrikes against the ISIL terrorist group in Syria since September. The US has been also carrying out similar air raids against ISIL positions in Iraq since August.

Iran has provided military aid to the Iraqi Kurds in the fight against ISIL, but has stressed that it will not join the US-led coalition as it does not trust the motives of its members.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on September 15 cast doubt on the sincerity of the so-called coalition to fight terrorism, saying it is a “joke” that the countries which have supported and financed militant groups now seek to fight terrorism.