Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday received Ali Larijani, Senior Advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, for discussions focused on recent regional developments, particularly the Israeli aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of halting it, state media reported.

The discussions also covered bilateral relations between Syria and Iran, exploring ways to strengthen them in the mutual interest of both nations and the broader region.

According to SANA news agency, al-Assad underscored Syria’s commitment to the Palestinian people’s historic rights and affirmed support for the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples' struggle, emphasizing the urgent need to end the massacres and halt the crimes of genocide.

On his part, Larijani, also a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, reaffirmed Iran’s solidarity with Syria and its readiness to provide comprehensive support, praising Syria’s pivotal role in the region and expressing a desire to enhance this role for the benefit of regional states and their people.

Larijani carrying important messages to Syria, Lebanon

In a related context, sources told Al Mayadeen that Larijani's visit to Syria and Lebanon is part of a special political mission.

The sources revealed that the senior Iranian official is carrying important messages for both neighboring countries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said on Wednesday evening that Larijani is leading an official delegation, with the focus of his meetings with Syrian officials being on current regional developments and Iranian-Syrian relations.

The top Iranian official's regional visit comes a week after Donald Trump secured his way back to the White House, amid an ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon.

Ahead of the November 5 presidential election, Trump vowed to end the “suffering and destruction in Lebanon.”

He added that he wants "to see the Middle East return to real peace, a lasting peace, and we will get it done properly so it doesn’t repeat itself every 5 or 10 years."

In late October, The Times of Israel also cited two informed sources as saying that Trump has informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he expects "Israel" to conclude its war on Gaza by the time he assumes office.

According to a former Trump administration official and an Israeli source, the message was initially conveyed during Netanyahu’s visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last July.

But the Republican President-elect's recent nominations of staunch "Israel" backers and Iran hawks to join his incoming administration raise questions about his seriousness in ending tensions in the region.

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