Syria and Iran issued a joint statement on Friday hailing the deal reached by Saudi Arabia and Iran which includes the agreement to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions, under the support of China.

Following Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's two-day visit to Syria, the statement stressed that the Saudi-Iran deal was an important step toward a more positive development that serves the stability of the Middle East.

According to the statement, the two presidents held in-depth talks that focused on ways to develop and strengthen bilateral relations based on fraternal and strategic relations between the two countries, as well as the latest developments in the region and global conditions.

Both sides vow to respect the national sovereignty and independence, as well as safeguard territorial integrity of the two countries in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, it said. 

Both sides should promote cooperation in areas such as politics, economy and consul and increase the exchange of visits by high-level delegations, the statement noted, calling for measures to strengthen the economic and trade relationship, and cooperation for the reconstruction of Syria.

It said the two sides will continue to cooperate in counter-terrorism until the ultimate destruction of all terrorist groups.

Both sides condemn Israel's attack on Syria as a destabilizing factor in the region, stressing that Syria has the right to strike back in an appropriate manner, according to the statement.

Both sides condemn the presence of external military forces in Syria, said the statement, denouncing the illegal unilateral sanctions against Iran and Syria by the United States and the European Union.

The sanctions violate international law and human rights, it said, urging the U.S. and others to immediately lift the sanctions.

Both sides welcome the positive political developments within the region, especially the constructive interactions between Syria and Arab countries, adding that countries in the region should respond to challenges through cooperation to maintain regional security, prosperity and stability, it noted.

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