Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will make a two-day visit to Syria in the first week of May, Syrian state media reported. AP
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will make a two-day visit to Syria in the first week of May, Syrian state media reported. AP
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will make a two-day visit to Syria in the first week of May, Syrian state media reported. AP
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will make a two-day visit to Syria in the first week of May, Syrian state media reported. AP

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Syria next week


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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will travel to Damascus next week, in the first visit to Syria by an Iranian leader since civil war broke out in the country in 2011.

Military and economic support from Iran and Russia helped Syrian President Bashar Al Assad reverse early losses to rebel groups and regain control of most of the country.

The Syrian daily Al Watan, which is close to the government, reported that Mr Raisi's visit would last two days, to be capped by a string of agreements, particularly on economic co-operation.

A senior regional source close to the Syrian government told Reuters that the recent warming of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as an easing of Syria's isolation by fellow Arab states, had paved the way for the visit.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus earlier this month in the first such trip since before the civil war began, while ministers from other Gulf Co-operation Council countries have also met to discuss Syria's potential return to the Arab League.

Besides military support, Iran has provided lines of credit to Damascus and imports phosphate from Syrian mines.

This month, regional sources revealed that Iran had secretly brought military equipment to Syria by disguising the transfers as part of the relief effort following the devastating February earthquakes in Syria and Turkey.

With reporting from Reuters

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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Updated: April 28, 2023, 2:57 PM