Visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, February 18.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria are the strategic depth of each other. He pointed out that the relations between the two countries for the past 28 years have been among the most cordial and best relations in the region.
Calling for further strengthening of ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the reciprocation of visits and exchanges of views by the officials of the two countries will help strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the complicated regional issues and the appropriate stances taken by Syria on those issues.
"The realities of the region indicate that the main loser with respect to the regional issues is the bullying clique of the arrogant powers headed by the United States," the Leader observed.
As regards the issue of Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the goals pursued by the United States in Iraq have not been accomplished at all, and that there are not any signs indicating the likely accomplishment of those objectives.
"Besides the serious problems that the incumbent U.S. administration is facing in this region, the current position of the U.S. president on the domestic front has also become so shaky that even members of the U.S. Republican Party are voicing opposition to his policies," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the enemies' attempts at fomenting religious war in Iraq and Lebanon. He stated that Iran and Syria, while supporting the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki's government and the real demand of the Lebanese people, should make every effort to counter this plot.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his appreciation for the positive role played by Syria in bringing about convergence of views and proximity among different Palestinian groups and preventing the continuation of their confrontations. He also underlined the need for continued coordination between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria in solving regional issues.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on the negative propaganda campaign launched by the Western media and American officials against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"All that propaganda was mere psychological war, and they tried to undermine the morale of the Iranian people. However, despite all that propaganda, the Iranian people displayed their high morale to the world through their massive and unique and enthusiastic participation in the parades and rallies marking this year's anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory," Ayatollah Khamenei told the Syrian president.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also speaking at the meeting, described his visit to Tehran and the negotiations and agreements reached between the two sides as 'very positive' and preparing the ground for the further expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries.
President al-Assad also referred to the situation in the region and the need for continued coordination between Tehran and Damascus. He said that the United States is trying to weaken the spirit of resistance of those regional nations and governments that are in the opposite camp to the United States.
"However, Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran, enjoying full coordination and relying on their nations, are firmly insisting on their principled stances, and the United States has not been able to achieve its objectives," he added.
The Syrian president also underlined the need to counter the enemies' plots to foment religious war in the region, especially in Lebanon and Iraq. Assessing the Iraqi president's recent visit to Syria as positive, he said that Syria hopes that the Iraqi prime minister's upcoming visit to Damascus will result in the further expansion of relations between the two countries.
As regards the events in Lebanon, President al-Assad stressed that Syria supports the demand of the Lebanese people.