(VOVworld) - The defence ministers of Russia, Iran, and Syria on Thursday held talks in Tehran on pressing the fight against Islamic State and the Al-Qaeda's Syria affiliate Al-Nusra Front.

The talks come as Damascus steps up its military campaign against both the IS militants and rebels in Aleppo. (File photo: AP)

The talks come as Damascus steps up its military campaign against both IS and the insurgents tied to the Al-Nusra Front in Aleppo, Syria’s second biggest city.

Iranian Defence Minister General Hossein Dehghan said he and his counterparts from Russia and Syria were determined to deliver a "decisive" battle against "all terrorist groups" in the region.

Dehghan said the goal could be achieved by "blocking or preventing" these groups from receiving political support or weapons that could enable them "to conduct wider operations".

On Thursday, forces loyal to Libya's unity government entered the IS stronghold of Sirte after a day of heavy bombing and clashes. A spokesman for the Government of National Accord (GNA), Mohamed al-Gasri, said the operation will not last much longer and Sirte, a city of about 450 km east of the capital city Tripoli, would be liberated in two or three days.