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The Iranian president has described his trip as "a turning point". This visit coincides with the rapprochement between Syria and neighbouring Arab countries, as well as the normalisation of relations between Tehran and Riyadh

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Ebrahim Raisi - PHOTO/FILE
AFP/ ATTA KENARE - The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi
Margarita Arredondas
Updated: 05/05/23

The trip to Syria by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, coincides with important changes that are altering the political landscape in the Middle East. This visit, the first by an Iranian leader since the war began in 2011, comes at a time of key rapprochement between Damascus and neighbouring Arab countries. Raisi arrived in Syria weeks after Iran and Saudi Arabia announced the re-establishment of relations thanks to the mediation of China, a new actor that is making a strong entry into the Middle East and aspires to play an important role in the future of the region.  

During his trip, described by Raisi as "a turning point", the two countries signed 15 cooperation agreements aimed at opening a new chapter in bilateral economic relations. In this regard, the Iranian president took part in a business forum in Damascus, where he announced his willingness to expand economic ties and cooperation in all areas.

Tehran and Damascus hope to strengthen their commercial ties in the same way that they have developed political partnership in recent years. Iran, along with Russia, has been a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the civil war. Tehran has helped Damascus regain territory seized by the rebels and, in the same way, has provided political and economic support to an isolated Syria subject to international sanctions.  

iran-syria

Raisi, speaking at the economic forum in the Syrian capital, referred to the sanctions imposed by the West. "Iran turned sanctions into opportunities, something that Syria can also do," Raisi was quoted as saying by the Lebanese media Al Mayadeen.  

In addition to helping Syria during the war, Iran hopes to be part of the country's reconstruction process in order to maintain its influence vis-à-vis the Arab countries in the region that are beginning to take steps to normalise relations with Damascus. However, Tehran's aspirations may clash with Arab plans, as at the recent meeting on Syria's return to the Arab League the organisation's members called for all foreign forces to leave the nation. Iran, like Russia, has sent military forces to Syria in support of al-Assad, as well as to back Palestinian militias - such as Islamic Jihad - against Israel. 

Raisi praises Palestinian 'resistance' 

In fact, during his stay in Damascus, Raisi has met with "leaders of the Palestinian resistance in the Presidential Palace", according to Al Mayadeen. The Iranian leader told the Lebanese media that his visit was "part of Iran's support for the axis of resistance to Israel".  

In addition to the meeting with Palestinian militia members, which was also attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian and Iranian Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari, Raisi also visited the Shiite shrine Sayyidah Zaynab, where he praised the actions of Palestinian groups against Israel. "The initiative to liberate Jerusalem is in the hands of the Palestinian fighters," the Iranian president said. 

Just as Iran has moved military personnel into Syria, Tehran is also sending arms. Indeed, a recent Reuters investigation based on Syrian, Iranian, Israeli and Western sources revealed that Tehran took advantage of humanitarian aid flights in the aftermath of the earthquake to transfer weaponry to Syria. Such material, according to the sources, would be used to "bolster Iran's defences against Israel in Syria". 

However, this is not the first time Tehran has been accused of transferring weapons into Syria, which Israel considers a threat to its national security. For this reason, the Israeli army has carried out numerous strikes against targets suspected of harbouring Iranian weapons inside the Al-Assad government-controlled parts of Syria. One of the latest operations was carried out against Aleppo airport shortly before Raisi's visit. As a result of the attack, four Syrian military personnel and three members of pro-Iranian militias were killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Israeli strikes also destroyed an ammunition depot. 

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