Iran, Syria call for expansion of defense ties

TEHRAN - Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi and his Syrian counterpart Ali Mohammad Habib have called for the expansion of defense ties between the two counties.

Vahidi met with Habib during the first session of the Iran-Syria joint defense commission, which was held in Damascus on Wednesday.

The two defense ministers said Iran and Syria are strategic allies that play an important role in maintaining regional security and stability.

Vahidi said the enhancement of Iran-Syria ties in the area of defense would help counter Israel’s threats, which undermine the security of regional nations.

He went on to say that any threat to Syria’s national security is a threat to Iran’s national security.

“We believe that Tehran-Damascus ties are a positive and constructive model for expanding cooperation between all regional countries,” Vahidi stated.

The Syrian defense minister said Wednesday’s talks show that Tehran-Damascus relations have improved significantly over the past few years.

The level of Iran-Syria cooperation in the area of defense shows that the two countries are determined to respond to regional challenges and to make efforts to strengthen regional security, he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Habib said Syria supports Iran’s right to make use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

The enemy’s main objectives are to undermine regional security and to plunder the region’s resources, but Iran and Syria have always thwarted their efforts, he noted.

The Iranian defense minister also held a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday.