Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- President Bashar al-Assad received on Sunday Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami who is heading a high-level military delegation currently visiting Syria.
The meeting tackled the victories being achieved by the Syrian Arab Army in the war on terrorism.
Minister Hatemi stressed that the steadfastness of the Syrian people and leadership and their victory over terrorism will go down in the history of Syria and the region as an example to follow not only for the peoples of the region but for the entire world.
He expressed confidence in Syria’s ability to 
continue along this path till achieving complete victory and defeating terrorism.
The minister reiterated his country’s stance in support of Syria’s unity and independence away from any outside interference, pointing out that Tehran will continue to act on these principles, regardless of the threats and pressures exerted by some countries supporting terrorism.
For his part, President al-Assad affirmed the importance of this visit and the depth of Syrian-Iranian relations, stressing the importance of developing the process of joint coordination and outlining long-term cooperation plans that enhance the steadfastness of the people of Iran and Syria in the face of everything they are subjected to.
The President noted that the US approach and tools in the region, especially with regard to approaching the Iranian nuclear file, imposing sanctions on Russia, and attempts to prolong the war in Syria by supporting terrorist organizations and pursuing a policy of escalating threats with every operation launched by the Syrian Arab Army and allied forces against terrorism, affirms the correctness of the policies pursued by the anti-terrorism axis and the importance of enhancing its strengths in the face of the subversive and destabilizing American approach in the world.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Armed Forces, Defense Minister Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayoub , the Syrian Ambassador in Tehran and Iranian Ambassador in Damascus.
Earlier, Gen. Ayoub and the Iranian Minister held in-depth talks regarding developments in the region and Syria, and cooperation between the two countries’ armies. After the talks, the two sides signed a joint cooperation agreement between the two armies.
In a press conference, Ayoub said that the Syrian-Iranian relations are now stronger and deeper, and that the anti-terrorism axis is growing stronger and more effective.
Meanwhile, Hatami said that the Syrian-Iranian relations that date back to more than 40 years proved their effectiveness in confronting the threats and challenges facing the region.
The Iranian Minister also visited the Martyr Monument, where he laid a wreath of flowers and recited Al-Fatiha.
Hatami arrived in Damascus accompanied by a high-level delegation in response to an invitation by Ayoub.
Manar al-Frieh/Manal
