AGENCIES/ TEHRAN
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has visited Iran for the first time since the civil war broke out in his country eight years ago.
Assad met Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Monday.
Syria’s presidential office says Assad congratulated Iran on the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution this month.
Assad praised Iran as a model for building a powerful state.
Khamenei said the Syrian government victory in the civil war has dealt a blow to the United States and other western powers.
He stressed Iran’s continued support for Assad’s regime.
Assad later met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Iran and Russia backed the Syrian government in the war that began in 2011. Assad has previously visited Russia.
The US and Israel have become increasingly wary of Iran’s growing influence in Syria in light of the overwhelming advantage Assad has achieved in the war.
Israel, a staunch opponent of Iran, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria.