Iranian President slammed recent airstrikes by the United States, Britain and France against Syria, noting such attacks run counter to the principles of international law and are considered a blatant support for terrorism.

"At a time that terrorists are suffering a defeat in Syria on a daily basis, such aggressive act certainly means support for these defeated groups," Hassan Rouhani stressed in a telephone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday.

The US, Britain and France launched airstrikes against multiple places in Syria early Saturday following US President Donald Trump's order despite international warnings against further escalation of the situation in the Arab country and across the Middle East.

The US-led military coalition has accused the Syrian government of having allegedly attacked the militant-held town of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta region on April 7 and claimed that the Saturday air strikes had been aimed at deterring Syria's further use of chemical weapons.

The Iranian president further emphasized that the airstrikes were not "a blatant act of aggression against the Syrian soil" only but a military offensive against the stability of the entire region.

He added that the three countries' act of aggression against the Syrian government and nation was a practical move to strengthen terrorism in the region and emphasized that undermining a country's national sovereignty was tantamount to creating regional instability.

Rouhani vowed that the Islamic Republic would continue to stand by the Syrian government and nation and urged respect for the Arab country's territorial integrity.

"Iran will continue its activity in all international circles, particularly in cooperation with Russia and Turkey, to help achieve peace and stability in the region and in Syria," the Iranian chief executive pointed out.

He once again expressed Iran's opposition to any move aimed at changing Syria's geographical borders, saying, "As we have repeatedly emphasized, the presence of any foreign forces in Syria without its government's permission is against international regulations and is a violation of Syria’s territory."

Rouhani said no foreign power can make decisions about the future of Syria, adding, "The country's people are the main decision-makers and the Islamic Republic of Iran will stand by the Syrian government and nation."

Assad, for his part, said the missile attacks would have no impact on the Syrian government and people, adding that they would continue to counter terrorists.

The Syrian president added that London, Paris and Washington carried out the airstrikes after they failed to achieve their goals through political means and emphasized that the strikes brought them no military achievements.

/SR