The Head of the Strategic Research Center of Iran’s Expediency Council, Ali Akbar Velayatisaid that Iran is present in Syria legitimately and the ones who have to leave are the unauthorized foreign forces, Mehr News reported.

“Iran is in Syria legitimately and based on the invitation of the Syrian government. Those who have to leave Syria are the ones who have not been permitted by the Syrian government,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, the Head of the Strategic Research Center of Iran’s Expediency Council, on Wednesday.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of a ceremony at Azad University after some westerners called for Iran’s withdrawal from Syria.

Earlier,  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson demanded from Iran to withdraw all its forces from Syria with a view to reducing regional tension