President Rouhani called for an end to Israel’s attacks against Iran-backed forces in Syria and the evacuation of American forces from the country.

In the meeting between Iran, Russia, and Syria on Monday, September 16 in Ankara, Rouhani said: “The illegal presence of American forces in Syria threatens the sovereignty of the state in this country which is an independent member of the United Nations.”

The presence of Iranian forces has been well-documented since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2012, however, Iran claims those forces are there in consultation capacity.

Rouhani continued: “Last year the American president talked about his decision to return US troops from Syria, but these comments had the same fate as his other comments. Words that have not become reality, and there is no will to ever turn them into reality.”

Rouhani emphasized the importance of the evacuation of American troops from the east and north of the Euphrates.

The president of Iran also mentioned the recent Israeli attacks against Iran-backed militia groups in Syria and Lebanon and said: “In recent months, the Zionist regime has increased its aggression in Syria and Iraq and Lebanon. They have accepted responsibility for these aggressions.”

“These attacks are the perfect examples of illegal and provocative acts of aggression and can cause widespread tensions and conflict in the region,” Rouhani claimed.

Israel has repeatedly declared that it will not allow Iranian forces to position themselves in Syria.

President Erdogan of Turkey also talked about taking more responsibility toward peace in Syria. He said 360 thousand refugees have returned to Syria and Turkey is fighting terrorists in the Western Euphrates.

Turkey considers Kurdish militia in North of Syria as terrorists.