Stephen Lendman

Trump administration officials demand Russia and Iran stop supporting Assad’s battle against terrorist invaders or face harsh recrimination and further alienation from Washington.

They want their anti-terrorist operations halted, Assad ousted, replaced by a pro-Western stooge and Syrian sovereignty destroyed.

On Sunday, Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani discussed conditions in Syria. They called Trump’s aggression against a sovereign state a grave breach of international law, aiding terrorist groups instead of combating them, undermining peace talks instead of supporting them.

On Monday, Rouhani warned about further US aggression against Syria, saying it could endanger the entire region.

Both leaders, along with popular forces supporting Assad, issued a joint statement, condemning Trump’s action, calling it “a blatant assault on the sovereignty of the Syrian nation and government,” adding:

“The arrogant US did not have authority from anyone (to attack Syria), and treated the United Nations member states with total disrespect.”

“It attacked Syria and brazenly announced the strikes before the results of the investigation into Khan Shaykhun case were released.”

“We are not ignorant of what the US is trying to achieve in northern Syria and northwestern Iraq. They must know that we are closely monitoring all their movements, and their attempt to occupy the Syrian soil is illegal.”

Trump’s aggression breached “all red lines. This act…will will not deter us from fighting and eradicating terrorism. We will continue our fight alongside the Syrian Arab Army. We will work with them to liberate the entire Syrian territory from abject occupation.”

“Russia and Iran will not allow the US to dominate the world and impose a unipolar system by means of direct military aggression against Syria, violating international law, and working outside the framework of the United Nations.”

Strong language expressing resolve will likely be repeated when Tillerson and Lavrov meet in Moscow on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The only language Washington understands is blunt talk and force. Diplomacy with hegemons accomplishes nothing.

Separately, Russian and Iranian armed forces heads, Generals Valery Gerasimov and Mohammad Hossein respectively, discussed Trump’s aggression against Syria.

They condemned what they called a “pre-planned attack on an independent and sovereign state, aimed at slowing down the victories of the Syrian army and its allies, while…raising the morale of the terrorists and their supporters.”

They blasted Washington’s version of what happened at Khan Sheikhoun, saying it was fabricated - as justification for preemptive aggression based on a Big Lie.

They vowed to continue and intensify combating terrorism, as long as it remains a problem in Syria.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Washington provided no evidence indicating Syrian forces used CWs at any time - not in Kahn Sheikhoun last week or earlier.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called “flagrant (US) aggression,” aiming to “weaken the strength of (its) army in confronting (foreign-supported) terrorist groups.”

Further Trump aggression risks direct confrontation with Russia. Straightaway in office, he proved himself as ruthless and reckless as his predecessors.

A Final Comment

Most Americans believe Big Lies media scoundrels feed them. A CBS poll showed 57% of respondents approve of Trump’s airstrike on Syria - believing its military attacked Kahn Sheikhoun with CWs, despite no evidence proving it.

Americans are the most over-entertained, uninformed people anywhere, easy marks to be deceived, no matter how many previous times they were duped.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at http://www.sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.