![Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi (L) give a joint press conference in Damascus on May 3, 2023 [LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GettyImages-1252561723-scaled-e1683141502471.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The US State Department warned, on Wednesday, that deepening ties between Iran and the Syrian government should be of great concern to the world, after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met counterpart, Bashar Al-Assad, in Damascus in the first visit by an Iranian head of state since Syria’s war began in 2011, Reuters reports.
Raisi’s visit, which underlines close ties as Syrian relations with Arab States thaw, comes as Iran and regional rival, Saudi Arabia, rebuild relations after years of tensions, and as Arab States that shunned Assad, including Riyadh, rebuild ties with his government.
READ: Iran president lands in Damascus in first since Syria conflict began