Javad Owji and his Syrian counterpart Firas Hassan Kaddour, who met on the sidelines of the 6th Russian Energy Week International Forum in Moscow, discussed global energy market and regional developments.

“We welcome the expansion of Tehran-Damascus relations as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Raeisi administration have put great emphasis on boosting ties with Syria,” Owji said.

Pointing to President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi and his accompanying delegation’s recent visit to Syria, the minister added, “We have seriously pursued the agreements made between the two states during the visit.”

Shifting to the regional developments, he said, “The ‘Al-Aqsa Storm’ operation was unexpected, catching the Zionist regime and its boastful intelligence services off guard and smashed the Quds occupying regime’s hollow grandeur.”

Owji added, “The Zionist regime’s nature and condition were exposed by Al-Aqsa Storm operation to the Islamic world more than before.

“Iranian people support Palestinians, defend their rights trampled upon in the past seven decades, and are sad about brutal attacks on Gaza and current siege of the sliver of land. Palestinian people’s suffering must be alleviated through utilizing international capacities.”

Kaddour, for his part, attached great significance to the expansion of relations with Iran in different fields, including oil and energy sectors.

He also called for supporting the oppressed people of Palestine, particulate at the current juncture.

The Iranian and Syrian ambassadors to Moscow were also present in the meeting.

Goals behind Moscow visit

Owji arrived in the Russian capital on Wednesday at the invitation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to participate in the 6th Russian Energy Week International Forum.

He attended the forum’s opening ceremony addressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

Owji and Novak, the heads of Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission, held talks on deepening bilateral ties on the same day.

In addition, the Iranian oil minister and Russian energy giant Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller exchanged views on the two sides’ cooperation and creation of a gas hub on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf.

Owji is scheduled to deliver speech in a specialized meeting dubbed “Global Oil and Gas Market: Surveying a Turbulent Period” today.