Syrian authorities prevent a senior Iranian official from using its airspace
Syrian authorities refused, on Wednesday, permission for a plane carrying a high-ranking Iranian official to cross Syrian airspace, forcing it to change course and fly through Turkish airspace.
The plane was carrying Ali Larijani, Secretary-General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on a flight from Iraq to Lebanon before it was officially refused entry into Syrian airspace by Damascus, a move that reflects escalating tensions between the two countries.
This decision is part of a Syrian policy implemented last December, prohibiting all Iranian aircraft from using Syrian airspace following the fall Assad’s regime.
This ban disrupted the traditional supply lines Iran used to transport weapons and fighters to Hezbollah in Lebanon, underscoring the political rift between the new Syrian government and Tehran.
Since the fall of the former regime, the Iranian leadership has demonstrated a clear rejection of the new reality in Syria.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called for resistance to the new government, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the developments as not final, noting that those who believe they have won in Syria are rushing to judgment.
In response, the new Syrian leadership responded firmly, with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa calling on Iran to reconsider its regional policies, while Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani warned against attempts to sow chaos within Syria.
In recent months, Iran has begun to change its tone toward Syria, describing Syrian opposition factions as a “legitimate opposition,” in an attempt to open new channels of dialogue based on shared interests.
Tehran has also entered into talks with Türkiye and Russia to facilitate re-engagement with Damascus and sought Gulf funding for projects inside Syria, including the rehabilitation of Damascus International Airport.
However, these efforts have not achieved tangible results, as the Syrian government insists that Iran abandon its regional interference as a condition for any future cooperation.
