April 8, 2014 – 17:56 AMT
Iran has sent 30,000 tons of food supplies to help President Bashar Assad’s government deal with shortages amid civil war, the Associated Press reported, citing Syrian state media.
State TV said Tuesday, April 8, that the massive shipment has arrived at a port on the Mediterranean Sea.
The aid is part of Iran’s broader support for Assad as he prepares to run for a third presidential term while his troops fight rebels trying to oust him.
Last May, Iran opened a credit line of $3.6 billion for Syria, enabling Assad’s government to buy oil products.