Iran Reaffirms Support for Assad Amid Syrian Rebel Advances

Iran has pledged support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime after rebels, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Damascus to affirm this support amidst Syria's ongoing civil war, which reignited with the recent rebel offensive. The Assad regime, also backed by Russia, has been countering the rebels with airstrikes. The situation is complex, as HTS is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., raising concerns about the implications of the rebel advance.