Iran’s foreign minister on Monday, January 7 reiterated his country’s commitment to the regime in Damascus, praising a defiant speech by President Bashar Assad and calling on all sides to use “the opportunity” to help end the crisis, The Financial Times reported. Ali-Akbar Salehi said that the initiative outlined in a speech by the Syrian leader on Sunday was “a comprehensive plan” that incorporated regional and international proposals, including those of Iran, for finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis. Salehi urged “all sides” including the Syrian “national opposition” – a coded reference that excludes any Syrian opposition group alleged to have foreign military support – as well as western and regional countries to use “the opportunity … to bring about a Syrian-Syrian solution”. Iran has been Assad’s staunchest regional ally since the uprising began, providing the Syrian regime both military and financial support.