Iran, Syria hail stable ties during region’s tough times
Both countries sign 15 cooperation documents
Iranian and Syrian presidents praised their countries’ long-standing relations which remained stable even in the Middle East region’s difficult times.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi held talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Wednesday during the first visit by an Iranian president to Syria since a foreign-backed war broke out in the Arab country, in which Tehran has been a major ally.
Iran provided economic, political and military support to Syria, helping the country defeat the terrorists and retain lost territory that fell in the hands of the Daesh terrorist group and rebels supported by some regional countries.
During his meeting, Raeisi said Syria has managed to overcome difficulties and emerge victorious in spite of all the threats and sanctions targeting the Arab country.
“The Syrian government and nation have moved past major difficulties and problems. Today we can say that you … were able to win [the war] despite the threats and sanctions that were imposed against you,” Raeisi said at a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Wednesday, according to Press TV.
Syria has been a target of U.S. sanctions since 1979. The U.S. and its Western allies imposed more such bans on Damascus after 2011, when the country found itself in the grip of rampant foreign-backed militancy and terrorism.
The sanctions intensified even further with Washington’s passing of the Caesar Act in 2019, which targeted any individual and business that participated either directly or indirectly in Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
President Raeisi also hailed Iran-Syria relations as “rich, fruitful, and full of experiences,” adding that the ties remained stable even in difficult periods amid severe political and security turbulence in the Middle East.
“Today, the legitimacy of the position of Iran and Syria … has been fully proven. Those who had doubts about Iran’s political position are convinced that it was the right and fair stance.”
Raeisi also stressed that the Islamic Republic will stand by Syria in the post-war era of reconstruction and development as it was the case during the fight against terrorism.
The Syrian president, for his part, hailed Iran’s support for Syria throughout the Arab country’s conflict, and said the Syrian nation won’t forget Iran’s assistance in hard times.
“Syria-Iran relations are rich and full of experiences, as this relationship has been stable even during tough times when there were heavy political and security storms in the Middle East,” he said.
President Assad called for Iran to play a bigger role in establishing sustainable peace in the country and reconstructing war-torn parts of Syria.
Also on Wednesday, both countries also signed 15 cooperation documents, including a comprehensive plan of strategic and long-term cooperation.