Iran's Stance on Syria's Sovereignty
Iran's Foreign Ministry has reiterated its commitment to Syria's sovereignty, emphasizing that it currently has no direct contact with the new ruling party in Syria. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran's future relations with Syria will depend on the actions of its new authorities. He highlighted Iran's historical ties with Syria and its support in combating terrorism, particularly during the rise of ISIS in the region.
Historical Relations and Future Engagement
Baghaei noted that Iran has engaged with various opposition movements in Syria to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing crisis. He affirmed that Iran's involvement in Syria was advisory and at the request of the Syrian government. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has previously called for a national dialogue aimed at forming a government that represents all segments of Syrian society, especially following recent developments where opposition factions have made significant advances against the Assad regime.
Iran's Position on Regional Stability
In a broader context, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Iran does not rely on proxy forces in the Middle East and believes that the chaos in Syria has been exacerbated by foreign interference. He asserted that the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad would not weaken Iran's influence in the region, countering claims made by Israel and the United States about the collapse of the resistance axis supported by Tehran.