The Iranian regime: U.S. plots to divide Syrians

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the wave of unrest that swept across Syria in recent weeks is a plot by the U.S. to drive a wedge between the Syrian people and their government, the English language satellite Press TV reported on Friday.

In a statement released by Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday, the ministry warned Syrians against U.S. and Israeli plots to undermine the country's national solidarity and sovereignty and denounced Washington's double-standard stance on Syria, said the report.

The statement called on both the people and the government in Syria not to lose sight of their national reform plans in the face of enemy plots to undermine their efforts, according to the report.

"The Syrian leadership and nation's reform effort in the framework of the county's national interests is an important responsibility. By practicing moderation in both voicing and addressing demands, a grand victory for Syria can be achieved," the statement was cited as saying.

Syria's 60-year opposition to the Israeli oppression of Lebanese and Palestinians is the main reason why the nation has become a target of Western plots, read the statement.

On Thursday, the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Obama's administration condemned what it said an "outrageous violence" against protesters in Syria.

"The United States is looking at boosting sanctions it has already imposed on Syrian leaders," she said.

Many observers have criticized the American intervention in the Syrian affairs, pointing out that such intervention aims to undermine Syria's regional and international stances.

XINHUA