Syria and Iran, Fiend or Ally

Relations between Syria and Iran can be considered as the oldest ones between Iran and an Arab state. Although this relationship has never been fully upgraded to strategic relations, mostly, it has been relatively good. The nature and level of these relations at different times of history have always annoyed the Arab and Western governments; however, it has never led to the termination of these relations. Why has Syria been closer to the Islamic Republic of Iran? The research hypothesis shows that Syria tends to have a closer relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it plays the role of an allied party in order to create balance against the threats of the Israeli regime, balance the power in the Islamic world and stabilize the domestic situation. The purpose of this research is to explain the roots, reasons, why and how close the two countries are. This research method is descriptive-analytical and has been done through the integration of three national, regional and transnational levels innovatively compared to other similar studies. Finally, it has been concluded that Syria has made an effort to bridge the gaps among three issues of stabilizing the internal situation (stability), confronting Israel’s threat (national security) and the balance of power in the Islamic world (national interest) by strengthening more relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran.