Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met on Sunday with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during an unexpected “work” visit to Iran.
Syrian state media reported that the meetings dealt with “historical relations” based on “bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding on the issues and problems of the region and the challenges it faces.”
The latest developments on the regional and international arenas were also discussed.
Assad stressed the importance of “cooperation in order not to allow the US to rebuild an international terrorist system that is used to harm the countries of the world,” noting that “the US today is weaker than ever.”
Khamenei was quoted as stressing “Iran’s continued support for Syria to complete its victory over terrorism and the liberation of the rest of the Syrian lands.”
“We have no doubt that you will be able to liberate the rest of the Syrian lands and under your leadership, Syria will remain united,” Khamenei told Assad.
“We have to maintain the strong relationship that unites our two countries and peoples, and this is beneficial not only for our two countries, but also necessary for the region,” added the supreme leader.
Khamenei said in statements cited by local media that Syria’s “credibility” was “much greater now than in the past” and it was being looked at “as a power” today.
“Syria's respect and position are now much higher than before, as it has become more powerful,” Khamenei told Assad according to Nour News, a website affiliated with Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard.
Moreover, Khamenei stressed the need to strengthen relations between Syria and Iran more than before.
Iran has been one of Assad's strongest regional allies and has helped his regime with money and weapons during the Syrian conflict.
Raisi expressed the “serious will” of his country "to enhance economic and trade cooperation" with Syria.
For his part, Assad declared his country's readiness to expand economic cooperation with Iran, the statement added.
According to Nour News, Assad and his accompanying delegation returned to Damascus after their day-long visit to Iran.
