Chief of Staff of Iran\'s Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi says the Islamic Republic has no military presence in Syria, according to Press TV. The Iranian commander told reporters that Tehrans official position is to fully defend Syria despite having no military presence in the country. Firouzabadi said the militants in Syria are either hired or invited from various Arab countries to fight under the al-Qaeda flag. \"Of course some of the militants are Syrian nationals but they are emotional youth who have been manipulated by al-Qaeda,\" the Iranian commander added.