Syria and Iran sign long-term oil and trade agreements

By ALBERT AJI and KAREEM CHEHAYEB
Associated Press

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The presidents of Iran and Syria have signed a series of long-term trade agreements in Damascus to bolster economic ties between the two allies. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, leading a large economic and political delegation, met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday after landing in the war-torn country for a two-day visit. Tehran is a main backer of Assad’s government since a 2011 uprising turned into full-blown civil war in Syria and has played an instrumental role in turning the tide of the conflict in his favor. Syrian state media reported that the two leaders signed agreements related to several sectors, including oil, agriculture, railways and free trade zones.