Iran’s newly elected president, Ebrahim Raisi, recently visited Syria and held a rare meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The visit is significant as it marks the first official foreign trip by Raisi since he took office in August 2021.During the meeting, Raisi and Assad discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, including the situation in Syria and the ongoing conflict in neighboring Afghanistan.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between Iran and Syria and to continue supporting each other in the face of common challenges.Iran and Syria have a long-standing strategic alliance, and Iran has been one of Assad’s closest allies throughout the Syrian conflict. Iran has provided military and financial support to the Syrian regime, helping it to maintain its grip on power despite years of civil war and international sanctions.
Raisi’s visit to Syria comes at a time when the region is facing numerous challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Syria, the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, and the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Raisi’s visit to Syria can be seen as a message to the international community that Iran remains committed to supporting its allies in the region.
The meeting between Raisi and Assad is also significant in the context of ongoing efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, which was abandoned by former US President Donald Trump in 2018. The talks to revive the deal have been ongoing for months, with Iran demanding the removal of all US sanctions before it returns to compliance with the agreement.
In conclusion, Iran’s President Raisi’s rare meeting with Assad in Syria is significant as it reaffirms the strong strategic alliance between Iran and Syria and highlights Iran’s commitment to supporting its allies in the region. The meeting also takes place in the context of ongoing efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, which could have far-reaching implications for the region and the international community.
