TEHRAN – President Bashar al Assad of Syria visited Tehran on Thursday to offer condolences to Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19.

Addressing Ayatollah Khamenei, the Syrian president called the ties between Syria and Iran “strategic” that are progressing under “Your Excellency’s directions.”

Assad said, “Mr. Raisi and Mr. Amir Abdollahian” were at the forefront to implement these guidelines.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian was also among seven others who were killed in the helicopter that was carrying the president.

Assad also called President Raisi a “humble, insightful and ethical person” who truly represented the positons and slogans of the Islamic Revolution.

Raisi took over as president in August 2021.

The Syrian president added Raisi in his three-year presidency played an important role in advancing Iran’s policies in the region, pursuing the Palestine issue and deepening relations between Iran and Syria.

Leader calls Syrian resistance ‘unique’

For his part, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described Syria’s resistance against arrogant countries as “unique”.

“The special status of Syria in the region is due to this unique identity and this important characteristic should be guarded,” Ayatollah Khamenei noted.

The Leader also pointed to the distinguished role of President Raisi in consolidating ties between Iran and Syria, adding, “Mr. Amir Abdollahian also paid a special attention in this regard.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the consolidation of relations between Iran and Syria as the core of the resistance movement is highly important.

“The unique identity of Syria which is resistance took shape during the rule of the late Hafiz Assad based on the ‘front of resistance and resilience’ and this identity has contributed to national security in Syria,” Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.

The Leader also pointed to the foreign-backed insurgency in Syria that started in 2011, saying, “By launching a war against Syria they (the foes) intended to topple the political system in the country and remove Syria from regional equations but they did not succeed. And now they intend to remove Syria from regional equations through other means and promises that they will never abide by.”

Praising the strong resistance of the Syrian president against the enemies, Ayatollah Khomeini said, “All should see resistance as the unique characteristic of the Syrian government with their own eyes.”

The Leader also referred to the political and economic pressure on Iran and Syria by the United States and Europe, saying, “Through increasing and regulating cooperation we should pass this stage.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader pointed to the special attention of the late President Raisi in developing cooperation between Iran and Syria in different areas, saying now Vice President Mokhber by having all the authorities of a president will continue the same policy.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also criticized the position and inaction of certain regional countries in the face of the Israeli war on Gaza. He specifically referred to the summit of the Arab leaders in Bahrain, saying in that meeting some countries acted badly but certain others did well.

He added the Islamic Revolution has a “positive and clear” view toward the future, noting, “We all hope to be able to do our duties and achieve that bright future.”