whole U.S. government has no impact whatsoever on regional relations . '' Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen over Iran 's nuclear program , which Iran insists is intended for civilian use but the United States believes is intended for developing weapons . Assad voiced strong support for Iran and brushed off U.S. sentiment . `` I find it strange how they talk about Middle East stability and at the same time talk about dividing two countries , '' he said . The meeting between Assad and Ahmadinejad sparked a harsh reaction from Israeli President Shimon Peres . `` The time has come to speak the truth , '' he said in a written statement . `` The problem in the Middle East is not the Palestinians . The Palestinian problem will be resolved through the peace process in Israel . The central problem in the Middle East is Iran 's attempt to reach hegemony over the Arab lands . '' `` The source of the problem is Ahmadinejad 's megalomania . Assad must choose what he wants -- to join the Iranian camp of evil and terror or to make peace with Israel , '' he said .
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday that a new Middle East -- one `` without Zionists and without colonialists '' -- was quickly emerging as regional bonds grow stronger by the day . The hard-line leader made the comments after a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Thursday . `` The whole world should know that Iran will stand behind the Syrian nation to the end , '' Ahmadinejad said in remarks aired on Iran 's state-run Press TV . `` Regional bonds are very strong . '' His comments came during a two-day visit to Damascus that follows efforts by the United States to weaken ties between Iran and Syria . President Obama recently nominated veteran diplomat Robert Ford to be the new ambassador in Damascus , ending a five-year diplomatic hiatus there and sparking talk of a renewed relationship . But Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has tempered the thawing of relations by saying that Washington remains concerned with Syria 's close ties to Iran . `` No one has enlightened her to comment on regional issues , '' Ahmadinejad said , slamming Clinton 's statements as interfering . `` The