Syrian Dictator Bashar al-Assad Congratulates Iran on ‘Turning Point’ Nuclear Deal

Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad sent a personal letter of congratulations to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, celebrating the occasion of a nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 world powers, state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

Iran, which finances and arms Assad’s forces in his quest to remain in power over Syria during the ongoing Syrian Civil War, will continue to back “just causes” such as his, Assad said Tuesday.

“We are confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will support, with greater drive, just causes of nations and work for peace and stability in the region and the world,” Assad said in his message to the Iranian despot, calling the nuclear agreement a “turning point” for Iran, SANA reported.

Analysts estimate that some 7,000 Iranian fighters are currently deployed in Syria battling to keep Assad in power. In addition to Iran’s troop presence, Iran-proxy Hezbollah “now leads or even directs the fight” on behalf of Assad “in many places,” the New York Times reported.

Assad’s dictatorship, which has a $1 billion dollar line of credit with the Iranian regime, will be supported “until the end of the road,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani proudly announced last month.

In another message addressed to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, Assad said: “In the name of the Syrian people, I congratulate you and the people of Iran on this historic achievement.”

The deal provided “clear recognition on the part of the world powers of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” Assad added in his address.

Meanwhile, Syrian human rights activists claimed that Assad’s forces dropped barrel bombs on the Syrian city of Aleppo on Monday, killing dozens of people, including at least one child.

Assad’s forces have been deemed responsible for the vast majority of the now- 230,000+ deaths in the ongoing Syrian Civil War.

Rebel leaders told Reuters that the nuclear deal would allow for Iran to now back Assad with “all its force.”

“We are worried,” Rebel leader Iyad Shamse told Reuters. “Our fears from this agreement are an increase in Iranian influence in the region and this is what is making Assad happy,” he said.