Syria at Forefront of Resistance: Iranian FM

In a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian conveyed the greetings of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Syria and handed Assad an invitation from the Iranian president to visit Tehran.

Referring to the close relations between the two presidents, Amirabdollahian considered it a very good opportunity for enhancing the bilateral relations.

He regarded Assad's upcoming visit to Iran as a foundation for closer relations.

The top Iranian diplomat deemed the Gaza issue as the most crucial matter at both regional and international levels, saying, “Fortunately, the two countries share a common position and a practical approach in supporting the Palestinian cause. During the past four months, consultations between the two countries have been underway.”

Referring to the extensive diplomatic efforts of Iran in the past four months to support the Palestinian nation and halt the war against Gaza, Amirabdollahian said, "We have consistently declared our firm position regarding Palestine and the current crisis in Gaza. In response to messages and positions from the US and in the course of negotiations with the British foreign secretary, we have emphasized that the war in Gaza is not the solution, and the genocide of Palestinians must cease immediately."

"If the US is sincere in its claims that it does not seek to expand the scope of the war in the region, it should cease supporting the Zionist regime. If America stops supporting the Zionist regime, this regime will not be able to continue the war against Gaza even for a single day," he added, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

Amirabdollahian noted that by supporting the Zionist regime in the war against Gaza, the US and certain countries are seeking political plans for post-war Gaza. "We believe that the leaders of the Palestinian groups and the Palestinian nation can decide how to manage Gaza and the post-war West Bank."

The Iranian foreign minister emphasized that the resistance in Palestine is strong, and added, “Those who initially sought to destroy Hamas have now included Hamas as a reality in their political strategies and as a negotiating party in the ceasefire talks.”

Amirabdollahian considered the Palestinian resistance strong in the field and having constructive initiatives in the political field as well.

"Our assessment is that the Palestinian nation and resistance groups will not succumb to the pressures and excessive demands of the Israeli regime or any other parties. The Palestinians have ideas for the post-war Gaza and West Bank, and are able to determine their own future,” Amirabdollahian stated.

The top Iranian diplomat hailed Syria for being at the forefront of the axis of resistance, lauded the prominent role of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the region and the Arab world, and appreciated Syria's historical support for Palestine and the resistance.

For his part, Assad congratulated Iran on the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution. Expressing satisfaction with the growing relations between the two countries in various fields, he thanked Iran for supporting Damascus and its stability and security.

"What the Islamic Republic of Iran has done in the past four months in support of Palestine has once again proved to the world that Iran does not just talk, but does act," Assad said.

"What happened in Palestine in these few months, strengthened the spirit of resistance in the Arab world,” he added.

The president noted that Syria's support for the resistance and Palestine is a historical position and that the resistance has taken root in Syria, and this policy will not change.

He also emphasized the importance of examining the latest status of the implementation of agreements between the two countries, especially the documents signed during President Raisi's previous visit to Damascus, and stressed laying the groundwork for the fruitfulness of his upcoming trip to Iran.