Iran has said it will strengthen Syria’s air defences as part of a bilateral military deal aiming to “fight terrorism” and counter American pressure. Key US ally Israel, Iran’s arch-enemy, has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of a civil war there in 2011, including against Iranian forces. Iran, one of President Bashar al-Assad’s main allies in the conflict, has always denied sending forces to fight in Syria, saying it only has military advisors there.
