Iran's foreign minister Amir-Abdollahian (L) with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. March 23, 2022
Iran’s foreign minister visited Syria Wednesday to discuss the latest regional developments and reportedly the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Heading a delegation, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Damascus and was received by his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad.
During a press conference, Amir-Abdollahian said that the Islamic Republic and world powers are closer than ever to reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.
He also said Tehran welcomes new talks between Syria and certain Arab countries, referring to President Bashar Assad’s visit to the United Arab Emirates last week, his first to an Arab country since the Syria war broke out.
Amir-Abdollahian said relations between Iran and Syria are in their best state, and called for more economic and trade cooperation.
Highlighting Iran’s close alliance with Syria, he said, “We are in the same trench, and we support Syria’s leadership, government and people.”
Mekdad told reporters at Damascus airport that among the issues on the agenda of his visit was the situation in Ukraine.
“We will discuss the huge developments today after Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. We will discuss what is behind that and we will discuss our mutual stances toward these developments”, Mekdad said.
Russia is recruiting fighters in Syria to fight in Ukraine, a move that can bring Iran-backed fighters into the war in Europe.
There are a myriad of groups fighting in Syria, including locals fighting for Iran and Bashar al-Assad’s forces, the Lebanese Hezbollah, Afghan and Iraqi fighters recruited and paid by Iran, and Jihadist groups opposed to Iran and Russia.