French FM says Iran trying to carve out regional ‘axis’ of influence

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian hits out at Iran, accusing the Islamic Republic of trying to carve out an “axis” of influence stretching through Syria to the Mediterranean Sea.

Speaking about the role of Russia and Iran in helping Syrian President Bashar Assad regain the upper hand in the civil war, Le Drian says: “Russia supplies aviation and support on the ground but Iran supplies its militia and supports (the pro-Iranian Lebanese terrorist group) Hezbollah.”

In a France 2 television progam on Syria to air later this evening, Le Drian is particularly critical of Iran, which is vying for regional supremacy with Saudi Arabia.

“Iran’s presence (in Syria) and Iran’s desire to create an axis from the Mediterranean to Tehran: No!” Le Drian declares, insisting that any deal on Syria’s future needed to ensure it remained “independent from the pressure and presence of other countries.”

— AFP