Spokesman: Iran in no rush to restore ties with Syria

Iran has indicated it is in no rush to restore diplomatic relations with Syria, stressing that developments in the country should be determined by Syrians themselves.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing on October 6, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Tehran closely monitors the situation in Syria while supporting regional stability, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

Syria’s future, Baghaei emphasised, must be shaped “by its own citizens, without foreign interference or pressure.” He added that “regional peace and security are closely linked to stability in Syria.”

On bilateral relations, he noted that Iran is exercising caution. “While we are open to engagement with all countries in the region and believe that stability in Syria is essential for the security of the entire region, we continue to follow developments there carefully,” Baghaei said.

He also stressed that it is ultimately “up to the Syrian rulers to determine how to manage their interactions with other regional states.”

Syria and Iran have maintained a strategic alliance since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, united by shared regional goals and opposition to Western influence. Their partnership intensified during the Syrian Civil War (2011–present), with Iran providing critical military, financial, and logistical support to Bashar al-Assad’s government, including deploying Iranian-backed militias like Hezbollah to combat opposition groups and ISIS.

This support was vital for Assad’s regime amid global isolation and sanctions, while Iran secured a key ally against Israel and Saudi Arabia. The ousting of Assad in 2025, following rapid rebel advances, has strained this alliance, creating uncertainty in bilateral ties.

Iran’s cautious stance on restoring full diplomatic relations reflects concerns over Syria’s new political landscape and its warming ties with Gulf states post-2023 Arab League reintegration. Emphasising Syrian self-determination, Iran seeks to avoid destabilising foreign interference while closely monitoring developments to safeguard regional stability.

By Aghakazim Guliyev