ABSTRACT
Iran and Syria have been labelled as rogue states by the United States since the beginning of the 21st century. It is widely understood that both states have cooperated since the 1979 revolution. Shireen T. Hunter highlighted the most important convergent interests in the framework of the Syrian–Iranian relations in the 1980s. Among the most significant elements were: the Syrian support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq war; similar attitudes toward both superpowers; similar positions on the Arab-Israeli rivalry in the region; sectarian similarities related to Iran’s Shi’as and Syria’s Alawites; and Iran’s non-interference policy in Syria especially in case of Islamist movements. President Bashar al-Assad continues the policy of his father, Hafez al-Assad, and tries to secure the dominance of the Alawi minority in Syria. There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings relating to the Syrian–Iranian political alliance – especially in the light of Tehran’s support for Bashar al-Assad.
