The Iranian President, Hashemi Rafsanjani, received the Syrian Vice President, Abdel Halim Khaddam, and the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Farouq Al-Shara, who brought a message from the Syrian President, Hafez Al-Assad, concerning bilateral relations and regional developments. Reports indicate that both sides expressed their concern for the strategic relationship between Tehran and Damascus, and focused on efforts against Israel and its supporters. During the recent meetings of the “Damascus Declaration” countries in Cairo, Iranian newspapers had criticized Damascus for supporting the positions of the United Arab Emirates in their dispute with Iran over the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.