Ayatollah Khamenei welcomes Assad, praising Syria's resilience.

Ayatollah Khamenei praised Syria's remarkable position in the region on Thursday, attributing it to the nation's resilience. "Syria's significant role in the region is distinguished by this identity, and it is crucial to preserve this essential aspect," he conveyed to the Syrian president. He credited Syria's distinguished identity to the late Hafez Assad's era, highlighting the establishment of the resistance front and its defiance against Western powers.

"This identity has consistently fostered national unity within Syria," Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized. He commended President Assad for his unwavering stance, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Syria's government's distinctive quality of resistance.

Furthermore, Ayatollah Khamenei denounced Western attempts, alongside their regional allies, to destabilize Syria's political system and marginalize it from regional affairs. He stressed the necessity for Syria and Iran to bolster their relations, emphasizing their roles as pillars of the resistance axis.

Touching upon the political and economic pressures faced by both nations from the US and Europe, Ayatollah Khamenei advocated for increased cooperation and normalization to overcome these challenges. He also acknowledged the efforts of late President Raeisi in enhancing collaboration between Iran and Syria across various domains.

President Assad, in turn, expressed condolences to Ayatollah Khamenei, the government, and the Iranian people for their recent loss. He characterized Iran-Syria relations as strategic, evolving under Ayatollah Khamenei's guidance.

Assad praised President Raeisi's leadership and underscored his significant impact on deepening ties between Iran and Syria. Additionally, he reiterated his belief in the principle of resistance, emphasizing its lower cost compared to compromise, especially in the face of Western pressure.

Expressing gratitude for Ayatollah Khamenei's pivotal role in supporting regional resistance movements and Syria, Assad emphasized the importance of steadfastness in the face of external pressures. Ayatollah Khamenei echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the long-standing belief that retreating only emboldens adversaries, reinforcing the enduring commitment to resistance over compromise.