Syrian Political, Economic Delegation in Tehran

The Syrian-Iranian Joint Economic Committee met in Damascus in April. (SANA)
The Syrian-Iranian Joint Economic Committee met in Damascus in April. (SANA)
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Syrian Political, Economic Delegation in Tehran

The Syrian-Iranian Joint Economic Committee met in Damascus in April. (SANA)
The Syrian-Iranian Joint Economic Committee met in Damascus in April. (SANA)

A Syrian political and economic delegation headed by Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad began a visit to Tehran. The visit, which will last for several days, aims to follow up on the agreements signed during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Syria in May.

In a statement, the Iranian embassy in Damascus said the delegation includes the ministers of Economy and Foreign Trade, Mohammad Samer Al-Khalil, and Communications and Technology, Iyad Al-Khatib.

The visit comes amid news of Iran’s intention to establish an Iranian free zone in central Syria to boost Iranian investments and strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

The meetings of the Joint Economic Committee in Tehran, which will last until the end of this week, will follow up on the implementation of 15 memorandums of understanding that were signed during Raisi’s visit. They cover a variety of sectors, including energy, agriculture, free zones, communications and others.

Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Issa Zarepour announced last week that Iran will help Syria in the manufacture of communication satellites.

Moreover, the head of the Syrian-Iranian Joint Chamber of Commerce, Fahd Darwish, revealed in press statements a plan to establish an Iranian free zone in central Syria with the aim of “fostering the Iranian investment environment in Syria” and promoting the bilateral economic ties.

“Free zones are among the most important tributaries of the national economy of countries, and a basis for investments and platforms for import and export,” he stated.

The Syrian president and his Iranian counterpart had signed a memorandum of understanding for comprehensive and long-term strategic cooperation, as well as an MoU related to free zones and minutes of a meeting for cooperation in the field of railways and civil aviation.



Israeli Civilians Enter Lebanese Territory Near Houla

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldiers patrol past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the village of Houla, southern Lebanon, 07 March 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldiers patrol past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the village of Houla, southern Lebanon, 07 March 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israeli Civilians Enter Lebanese Territory Near Houla

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldiers patrol past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the village of Houla, southern Lebanon, 07 March 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldiers patrol past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the village of Houla, southern Lebanon, 07 March 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon’s army said Friday that the Israeli military had escorted Israeli civilians onto Lebanese territory to visit a Jewish shrine near the village of Houla without permission from Lebanese authorities.

The move was in violation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement in late November that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Hezbollah began firing rockets across the border on Oct. 8, 2023, one day after a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon, and the two sides became locked in an escalating conflict that became a full-blown war in late September.
The army statement said the incident “represents a blatant violation of Lebanese national sovereignty” and of the ceasefire agreement under which Israel was supposed to withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory last month.

The Israeli military withdrew from border villages, but stayed in five strategic overlook locations inside Lebanon. Lebanese leaders have denounced the continued presence of the Israeli troops as an occupation and a violation of the deal.