President: Syria to stay out of Iran war unless attacked

Syrian President  Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Tuesday, March 31, that Syria will remain outside the ongoing US–Israeli war against Iran unless it is directly targeted and left without diplomatic options.

“Unless Syria is targeted by any party, Syria will remain outside any conflict,” al-Sharaa said during an event hosted by Chatham House in London, marking his first official visit to the United Kingdom.

“We do not want Syria to ‌be an ‌arena of war. But unfortunately, today, things ‌are ⁠not governed by ⁠wise minds. The situation is volatile and random,” he added.

The conflict, now entering its second month, has spread across the region, causing thousands of deaths, disrupting energy supplies, and raising concerns about wider economic fallout.

Addressing Syria’s regional posture, al-Sharaa said Damascus seeks to maintain balanced relations across the Middle East and with global powers.

“We want Syria to have ideal relationships with the entire region, ⁠with Lebanon, Iraq, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and ‌world powers like the ‌UK, France, Germany and the US. I think that Syria is ‌qualified to start a strategic relationship network,” he said, responding to a question about neutrality.

Syria has sought to avoid being drawn into the conflict, which has already involved neighbouring countries. In Lebanon, the group Hezbollah is engaged in fighting with Israeli ground forces, while in Iraq, Iran-aligned factions have carried out drone and rocket attacks.

Earlier this month, Syria deployed thousands of troops to its western border with Lebanon and its eastern border with Iraq. The Defence Ministry said the move was aimed at efforts to “protect and control the borders amid the escalating regional conflict.”

“We had enough war. We paid a large bill. We are not ready for another war experience,” al-Sharaa said.

By Tamilla Hasanova