In a close cooperation, Iran and Russia double down on Syria

Last July, a meeting between the Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani, and the Russian President, Validimir Putin, in Moscow was leaked to the media by western intelligence. While the contents of the meeting still secret,  it's believed that the two men discussed the deteriorating situation in Syria where forces loyal to the current President, Bashar Al Assad, lost most of Idlib province, part of Daraa and Homs provinces. Shortly after the meeting, Iranian media reported about a greater military involvement of Russia in Syria alongside Iranian (affiliated) forces.  In September, two major developments occurred. First, independent sources confirmed the transfer of Russian military assets to Syria including modern ground-attack aircrafts, air superiority fighters, armored vehicles. Second, a great "anti-terror" alliance between Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria (or what remains of it) was announced.  When Russia launched its first "anti-IS" airstrikes against "non-IS" forces it was unclear how this new alliance with Iran would materialize on the ground. Many believed Iran was already all out and couldn't do more in Syria. Further evidences show Iran, alongside Russia, has stepped up support for Syria after the Soleimani-Putin meeting.