In a bold call for change, Syria’s Interim Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, has urged the clerical regime in Iran to fundamentally revise its approach toward Damascus, accusing Tehran of meddling in Syrian internal affairs. In an interview aired on Al Jazeera on Wednesday, January 1, Al-Shaibani declared that Iran’s influence in Syria has been provocative to the people and served primarily to sustain Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Al-Shaibani stressed, “The presence of Iranian influence in Syria was very provocative to the Syrian people and served the interests of the former regime. Iran must radically change its policy and refrain from intervening in our domestic affairs.”
“Iran’s actions in Syria sowed chaos and instability, but the new Syria will not tolerate such interventions. We urge Tehran to reconsider its calculations and align with the aspirations of the Syrian people,” he added.
Syria’s new leadership, formed after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 18, has been navigating complex regional relations. Ahmed Al-Shara, the commander of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, whose forces advanced from Idlib to Damascus, has emphasized the need for pragmatic ties with regional powers. In a statement to Al Arabiya on December 31, Al-Shara criticized Iran’s role in the Syrian civil war, saying it left deep scars on the nation’s infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and bakeries, contributing to widespread displacement.
#Iran News: Syrian Foreign Minister Warns #Tehran Against Spreading Chaos Amid Regional Shiftshttps://t.co/yKGvwihqeB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 25, 2024
In a speech on January 1, Khamenei dismissed Syria’s new government, describing it as transient and suggesting it would be “trampled underfoot” by believers. His remarks reveal Tehran’s apprehension about the new Syrian leadership and suggest a potential shift in regional rivalries.
On January 13, Al-Shaibani visited Riyadh to discuss reconstruction aid with Saudi leaders. Additionally, Gulf states, including Qatar and the UAE, have pledged support for Syria’s economic recovery. Turkey has also sent engineering teams to assist with rebuilding efforts.
Al-Shaibani highlighted the dire state of Syria’s finances following the fall of the Assad regime, noting, “We inherited an empty treasury looted by the former government.” However, he expressed optimism about the international community’s willingness to end Syria’s isolation and support its economic revival.
#Khamenei’s Speech Reflects Iranian Regime’s Morale Crisis After Strategic Loss in #Syriahttps://t.co/9EwLTl0Ydv
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 1, 2025
He emphasized the need for a four-year transitional period, during which Syria would rebuild its institutions and prepare for inclusive elections. “The new Syria will be a hub of peace, stability, and a key player in the Arab world and beyond,” Al-Shaibani declared.
As Assad’s departure reshapes Syria’s political landscape, the interim government faces the immense challenge of rebuilding a war-ravaged nation amid complex regional tensions. Calls for Iranian policy change highlight a growing push for sovereignty and stability. However, Tehran’s deep-rooted interests and intransigence pose significant obstacles, as Khamenei perceives a thriving Syria as a direct threat to his regime’s survival.