new meeting between Iranian, Damascus government officials, but in Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received the Foreign Minister of the Damascus government, Bassam al-Sabbagh, in Tehran, in the latest in a series of meetings between senior officials from the two countries.

Sabbagh will meet with Iranian officials during his first visit to Tehran since assuming his position in September, according to local media outlets that did not reveal further details.

Aaraghchi confirmed in a joint press conference his country's "support" for Syria and the groups allied with Tehran in the region.

He said that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will always stand by Syria and the axis of resistance" and "will not hesitate to provide all necessary support."

For his part, Sabbagh spoke of "positive discussions and a fruitful and constructive exchange of views on enhancing cooperation between the two countries in all fields."

He added, "We reviewed the dangerous developments in our region resulting from the escalating brutal Israeli aggression against the countries of the region."

He stressed that "our views are in agreement regarding the need for an immediate and unconditional halt to this Israeli aggression and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need."

Sabbagh's visit comes less than a week after Ali Larijani, advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visited Syria, where he met with Bashar al-Assad.

Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasrzadeh also visited Damascus last weekend for talks with officials in the Damascus government.

As part of a regional tour, Araghchi visited Syria in October, before the first confirmed Israeli attack on military sites in Iran.

T/ Satt.

ANHA