The article examines the phenomenon of the Syria–Iran alliance in the context of Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East. The main goal of the study is to analyze the evolution of Syria–Iran relations amid the intensified struggle for influence in the Middle East at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. The research explores the key factors that have shaped Arab–Iranian interaction and Syria–Iran relations. Particular attention is given to the main aspects of Iran’s policy in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) in light of regional and international developments and the transformation of Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East. Using a historical and systemic approach, the author highlights the role of the Arab–Iranian legacy in shaping Iran’s policy toward Syria. The article examines the role of Iran’s military forces and Shiite militias in the Syrian crisis, analyzing the motives and factors behind Iran’s armed intervention and the specific features of its military operations in Syria. The study also explores the nature of Iran’s cooperation with the Damascus authorities and the interaction between Iran’s regular forces, special units, and paramilitary formations. Special attention is paid to the influence of ethnic and religious factors on Iran’s military and political actions in Syria. The article also analyzes the impact of the Gaza war on Syria in the broader context of the Iran–Israel confrontation in the Middle East. Given the unique nature of the Syria–Iran alliance, the study makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of Iran’s regional policy and provides insight into its behavioral model under crisis conditions in the Middle East.
Iran, Syrian crisis, Middle East, shiites militias, Israel, arabs