Even as Israel bombarded Syria, officials say the U.S. and Gulf countries were working to weaken its president’s alliance with Tehran. Rebels’ shock advance has dampened those hopes.

Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad.

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi makes a visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, to meet President Bashar Assad. His visit comes as Syria’s army launched counterattacks to repel insurgents who’ve seized control of Aleppo,