Iran, Syria Discuss Strengthening Regional Defense and Security Cooperation

Iran’s Defense Minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have discussed plans to strengthen defense cooperation to combat “terrorism” in the region.

During a meeting in Damascus, the Iranian general emphasized Syria’s “strategic role in Iran’s foreign policy,” highlighting the mutual support both nations provide during challenging times, according to the Tehran Times on November 17.

President al-Assad stressed that eliminating terrorism is a regional and international responsibility, as its dangers threaten people worldwide. He called for robust regional partnerships to ensure lasting peace and security throughout West Asia, reaffirming that combating terrorism requires collective action by both international and regional actors.

The two leaders discussed plans to enhance cooperation to confront terrorism, aiming to bolster stability and security across the region.

General Nasirzadeh underscored the necessity of deepening defense and security cooperation during his two-day visit to Damascus, where he also met with Major General Kifah Moulhem, head of Syria’s National Security Bureau. He reiterated Iran’s unwavering support for Syria in its fight against terrorism and emphasized a shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the region.

The visit coincided with denials from Iran about reducing its personnel in Syria. On November 13, Ali Asghar Khaji, an aide to Iran’s foreign minister, dismissed rumors of Iranian militia commanders withdrawing from southern and eastern Syria.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential envoy Alexander Lavrentyev stated that Iran was not using Russia’s Hmeimim air base in Syria to transport arms to Hezbollah in Lebanon. He dismissed such claims as baseless, asserting that Russia does not permit the use of its base to support Hezbollah.

The visit also came amid increasing Israeli and U.S.-led coalition raids targeting Iran-backed fighters in the Middle East. Israel has carried out over 220 attacks on Syria since October, according to the NGO Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED). These actions align with Israel’s broader military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

Iran and Syria have maintained strong military and security ties, which have deepened since the 2010s. Iranian forces operating in Syria since the start of the civil war have frequently been targeted by Israeli strikes. In July 2020, Iran and Syria signed a comprehensive agreement to enhance military and defense cooperation.

Iran has also sought to integrate its proxies into the Syrian army, aiming to secure long-term influence in Syria’s military and security structures. However, Tehran denies maintaining a military presence in Syria, referring to its troops as “military advisers.”

Notably, on April 1, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, killing seven people, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon, and his deputy, Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi. The Quds Force, an external arm of the IRGC, is responsible for extraterritorial military and covert operations.