Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and Syrian counterpart Faisal al-Mekdad, Tehran, Iran, December 7, 2020

Striking a tough posture over Israel’s attacks on Iranian positions in Syria, Iran President Hassan Rouhani has declared that Tehran will work with the Assad regime to remove the Israelis from the Golan Heights.

Rouhani made the declaration as he hosted the new Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad. Pronouncing a confrontation of “Zionist occupiers and terrorism”, he said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its support to the Syrian government and people as our strategic ally and we will stand by Syria until its final victory.”

The President’s remarks came 11 days after the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fahrizadeh, with Israel suspected of organizing the killing.

The Israel Defense Forces are carrying out periodic airstrikes against Iranian and Assad regime forces and bases in Syria. They include November 17 attacks on eight targets, including an Iranian headquarters near Damascus International Airport, which reportedly killed several Revolutionary Guards personnel.

See also Israel Strikes Assad Regime’s Military, Barracks of Iran Officers

The Iranian Foreign Ministry pledged a “crushing response” and mocked Israel as “very cautious”.

In the next week, Fakhrizadeh was assassinated and a Revolutionary Guards commander was killed by an airstrike in eastern Syria near the Iraq border.

Rouhani posed on Tuesday, “Until the liberation of all occupied lands including the Golan, confronting Zionist occupiers [should continue].”

Mekdad, who replaced the late Walid al-Moallem last month, praised the “valuable and honorable” ties between the Assad regime and Iran.

“Next year, we will hold Presidential elections in Syria, and we hope that the friends of Syria will continue to stand by us with strength so that we can become victorious,” the new Foreign Minister said.