Syria praises Iran for 'tension-easing' nuclear deal

Syria's government on Friday welcomed a nuclear deal between its key ally Iran and world powers, saying the framework agreement would "ease regional and international tensions".
"Syria welcomes the statement produced by the discussions between Iran and the P5+1 group" of world powers, state media said, citing a foreign ministry source.
"This framework agreement and the positive steps that follow it will be another contribution by Iran on the path towards promoting international peace and security and easing regional and international tensions," official news agency SANA said.
It added that Iranian government representatives had successfully defended "their country's interests and its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes".
"Syria reaffirms the importance of Western countries respecting the rights of developing countries to scientific and technological advances," SANA added.
The comments were the first from Damascus since negotiators in Switzerland on Thursday announced a framework deal under which Iran would curtail its uranium enrichment capacity in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
The deal has been hailed as a breakthrough in the long-running standoff over Iran's nuclear programme.
Tehran is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has stood firmly behind his regime throughout the country's uprising which broke out in March 2011.
Iranian military advisors have assisted Assad's forces, and Tehran has extended Damascus economic aid during the conflict, which has killed more than 215,000 people.