Iranian Foreign Minister: Tehran isn’t in a hurry to reopen connections with the new Syrian government
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that his country doesn’t plan to establish any contact with the new Syrian government at this time unless the authorities in Damascus are able to establish security and stability in the country.
In an interview with RT, Araghchi explained that Iran isn’t currently dealing with the new Syrian government, pointing to the lack of official communication channels between the two sides.
He added, “We’re not in a hurry to open channels of communication, nor are we taking any hostile steps against the Syrian government… Rather, we are waiting for it to make progress in restoring stability and forming an inclusive government that represents all ethnic components and different sects”.
Regarding talks with Russia, Araghchi noted that the Syrian issue was the focus of his discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, stressing that both Tehran and Moscow share concerns about the current situation in Syria and a common interest in achieving peace in the region.
Since the fall of the Syrian regime, Iran’s closest ally, statements issued by Tehran have shown a clear ambivalence in its position on developments inside Syria, while some officials have declared that Iran doesn’t interfere in Syrian affairs, statements contradicting this position have emerged.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei posted tweets rejecting the new changes in Syria, calling for resistance to the current government, and attacking the forces that contributed to the downfall of Assad regime.
In similar statements following the collapse of the former regime, the Iranian Foreign Minister said, “Anyone who thinks that what happened in Syria is a final victory should be patient, as the future may bring new changes”.
The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Major General Hossein Salami, stated that what he called hostile groups had achieved some gains on the ground, but indicated that things wouldn’t remain as they are.
In response, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani warned Iran against any attempts to interfere or destabilize the situation, following Iranian statements hinting at the possibility of future developments in Syria.
