Bashar al-Assad traveled to Tehran, Iran, where he met with Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran.

Assad traveled to Iran after Russia on Tuesday, for the first time since the war in Syria erupted in 2011.

Syrian and Iranian state television broadcasts images of Bashar al-Assad and Khamenei embracing each other, while President Hassan Rouhani of Iran shaking hands with Assad.

Thanking Iran for backing Damascus, Assad said, "Iran and Syria are two friendly countries and the successes are the result of the sacrifices."

Iranian President Rouhani said they will continue to stand with the Syrian regime. "Iran is ready for the reconstruction of Syria.

ILKHA