Syria regime backs key ally Iran amid 'attack': foreign minister

The Syrian regime on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for Iran as its top diplomat visited Tehran which has been rocked by weeks of protests sparked by the death of Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini.

The 22-year-old died in custody on 16 September, three days after her arrest in Tehran for allegedly wearing her hijab 'incorrectly'. Amini's Kurdish first name can be spelled "Jina" or "Zhina".

Dozens of people, mainly demonstrators but also members of the security forces, have been killed in nationwide protests. Hundreds more, including women, have been arrested.

"We reaffirm Syria's support for the brotherly and friendly people of Iran," Syrian regime Foreign Minister Faisal Al-Meqdad said.

He said Syria welcomes "the failure of those who have supported the attack against this country financially, in the media, politically and internationally", he told a press conference, standing alongside his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Iranian authorities have accused the West of stirring unrest in the country.

A brutal crackdown on the protests has left at least 250 dead and hundreds detained.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday accused the United States of seeking to manipulate the people by supporting the demonstrations.

The Syrian regime, a notorious human rights abuser, has been Iran's main regional ally.

Tehran has provided military support for the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad in its decade-long war against the opposition.