Syria key to Irans foreign policy DM says in Damascus visit

Syria key to Iran’s foreign policy, DM says in Damascus visit

TEHRAN – During a two-day regional visit, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh engaged with several senior Syrian officials, culminating in a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday.

In their meeting, Iran's top general and the Syrian president concentrated on enhancing defense and security collaboration, emphasizing the importance of combating terrorism and fostering regional stability. 

The Brigadier General highlighted Syria's "strategic role in Iran’s foreign policy," underscoring the mutual support both nations provide during challenging times. 

President al-Assad reaffirmed that combating terrorism is a collective responsibility for both international and regional actors, stressing that this threat impacts all global citizens. 

The Syrian president called for robust regional partnerships to ensure lasting peace and security throughout West Asia. 

Brigadier General Nasirzadeh also met with Major General Kifah Moulhem, the head of Syria's National Security Bureau. 

Their talks underscored the necessity of deepening cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors, especially in defense and security. 

During his meeting with Moulhem, the defense minister reiterated Iran's unwavering support for Syria in its battle against terrorism, emphasizing the commitment to advancing peace and stability throughout the area. 

Major General Moulhem expressed gratitude for the steadfast support of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, towards the Resistance. He highlighted the Leader’s position as a powerful source of strength for the people in the region. 

Brigadier General Nasirzadeh also engaged in discussions with his Syrian counterpart, Ali Mahmoud Abbas. 

The Iranian defense minister arrived in Damascus on Saturday at the official invitation of Abbas as both nations seek to bolster their military cooperation. 

Iran and Syria have long upheld strong military and security ties, which have notably intensified since the 2010s. The two nations have united in their fight against terrorism, proudly embracing their identities as brotherly countries and vital members of the Axis of Resistance. 

Nasirzadeh’s visit marks the second such trip by a high-ranking Iranian official in the past week. 

On Thursday, Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met with President al-Assad in Damascus, reaffirming Iran’s unwavering support for the Resistance while conveying the Leader’s message to the Syrian president. 

On the same day, the Israeli regime launched assaults on several residential buildings in the suburbs of the Syrian capital, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 15 lives. 

The regime's bombing on Thursday was part of a broader pattern of aggression. 

Alongside its ongoing deadly military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, which have killed over 46,000 civilians, Israel has also carried out more than 220 attacks on Syria since last October, according to the NGO Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED). 

These assaults, which included air raids and artillery strikes, have led to the martyrdom of hundreds of civilians in Syria. 

Moreover, the occupying entity has allegedly issued multiple threats against President al-Assad’s life, targeting him due to Syria’s friendly relations with Iran and various regional Resistance groups.

source: tehrantimes.com