TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran welcomed on Friday Syria and Lebanon's establishment of diplomatic ties, the ISNA news agency reported.

“The move contributes to the strengthening of the mutual and historical relations between the two nations that are (Iran's) friends and brothers,” foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Ghashghavi was quoted as saying.
On Wednesday, Syria and Lebanon announced establishment of diplomatic ties for the first time since they became independent 60 years ago. The two neighbors are set to open embassies in each other's capitals before the end of the year.
Iran is a great friend of Lebanon and the Islamic resistance movement Hezbollah.
Tehran also has an alliance with Damascus stretching back more than three decades, which was strengthened in 2006 with the signing of a military cooperation agreement.