Aleppo, Syria (CNN) -- Tensions spiked in the Middle East on Tuesday as Iran extolled its "axis of resistance" with Syria and the United States warned of proxy and terror activity.

Saeed Jalili, a top Iranian official meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was cited by Syrian state media as saying he will not permit "enemies" to break what he called the "axis of resistance of which Syria is an essential part."