The story: Iran’s president has embarked on a landmark visit to Syria. The trip is the first by an Iranian head of government since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011. As Iranian media highlight the potential economic dividends of the visit, Raisi's outreach signals Iran's eagerness to reap the rewards of its steadfast support for Damascus—and to bolster its foothold in the Levant.

The coverage: Raisi flew to Syria on May 3, heading a high-ranking delegation that includes his defense, economy, foreign, oil and transport ministers as well as the governor of Iran's central bank.

• On the first day of his two-day visit, Raisi met with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad and signed "long-term, strategic" agreements to...