Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani has declared that Damascus will increase cooperation with Iran. Syrian President Bashar Assad sent the Defense Minister to Iran to convince Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that last week's announcement of indirect talks with Israel does not signal a change in its alliance with Tehran.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reasoned that making peace with Syria would break the current Iranian-Hizbullah-Hamas-Syrian axis. However, Iran took pains to note the close ties with Syria, and Turkmani confirmed Iranian statements of mutual interests. "Iran and Syria share the same viewpoint regarding regional issues, and efforts will be made to strengthen our shared interests and bilateral relations," Turkmani said.