BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:30 P.M.) – Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad refused the U.S.’ offer to back his presidency in exchange for breaking ties with Iran, the Advisor to the Iranian Parliament Speaker Hossein Amir Abdollahian said this week.

“The Syrian President’s visit to Tehran bore a hidden yet great message. The visit of Bashar Al-Assad with the Leader and the president of our country at this time was carried out with several goals,” he said, as quoted by the Fars News Agency.

According to Abdollahian, Assad’s visit to Tehran and his refusal to accept the U.S.’ offer reaffirmed his commitment to both Iran and Hezbollah.

Abdollahian said Assad responded to the U.S. offer by saying in a “loud voice” that Iran and Syria will continue guarding the resistance axis.

The Iranian official would add that reports of Foreign Minister Javad Zarif resigning because he didn’t receive an invitation to the Rouhani-Assad meeting were false.