TEHERAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday blamed the persistence of "terrorism" in Syria on the continued US military presence in the Arab country.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference while commenting on the US role in the recent resurgence of "terrorist" groups in Syria.

ALSO READ: Teheran condemns ‘terrorist’ attack on Iran's consulate in Syria's Aleppo

Baghaei said the US military presence in Syria was considered a kind of "aggression against the Arab state and a violation of the United Nations principles and objectives."

"It is completely clear that one of the reasons behind the persistence of terrorism and the terrorist groups' continued presence and survival in Syria during all these years was the occupation of the Arab state by the US military troops," he added.

READ MORE: Syrian army claims killing over 400 militants in intensified offensive

On Wednesday, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham -- an al-Qaida-linked extremist organization -- and allied opposition factions rocked the western countryside of Aleppo in a major rebel offensive aimed at penetrating government-held territories.

By Friday, they had swept into parts of Aleppo for the first time since 2016. By Sunday, they had seized "large parts" of Aleppo city and were advancing southward toward Hama.

ALSO READ: Iranian defense minister visits Syria to enhance defense cooperation

Faced with overwhelming militants and multiple attacks, the Syrian army announced a temporary redeployment of its forces.

In response, the Syrian army announced intensified operations in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, claiming that over 400 militants have been eliminated in the past 24 hours with Russian support.