Iranian Official Hails Growing Strategic Ties with Syria

In a meeting with Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad, held in Tehran on Monday, Velayati stressed the importance of expanding mutual relations between the two countries, noting that Tehran and Damascus continue to promote “strategic” ties and “this trend serves the two countries’ interests, which must be pursued seriously.”

Resistance of the Syrian people during years of war boosted the resistance front in the region and thwarted an international plot hatched by enemies of the Arab country, the senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei added.

“There is no doubt that Syria plays a crucial role in the resistance front and has paid a heavy price for playing that role,” Velayati added.

“Helped by other countries of the resistance front, the Syrian nation managed to overcome an international plot hatched by about 80 colonialist countries in addition to reactionary regimes of the region and Zionists, and defeated all of them, and today, we congratulate the Syrian government and nation on their achievements,” he added.

The senior Iranian official noted that the two countries have strengthened relations over the past 40 years since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, saying that by making strategic decisions, bilateral ties could continue more effectively in the direction of achieving common objectives, Press TV reported.

The Syrian foreign minister, for his part, said Iran has provided the Arab country’s government and nation with valuable support, adding that Tehran and Damascus enjoy extensive relations in various cultural, social, economic and political fields.

Mekdad also hailed the role played by Ayatollah Khamenei in expanding and consolidating ties between Iran and Syria, saying that Tehran plays an instrumental role in the region thanks to the guidelines of the Leader.

The top Syrian diplomat has travelled to Iran in his first foreign trip after taking office.