In a firm response to recent statements by Iranian officials, sources close to Syria’s new political leadership have denied any diplomatic communication with the Iranian regime regarding the reopening of embassies in Damascus and Tehran. This denial came in response to statements by Fatemeh Mohjarani, the spokesperson for the Iranian regime, who announced on December 13, 2024, that negotiations were underway to renew diplomatic relations and reopen diplomatic services between the two countries.
In an interview with Al Arabiya on December 24, 2023, a Syrian source stated, “There has been no contact between the Syrian political administration and Iran, including diplomatic discussions about reopening the embassies or consulates.” The source confirmed that the current Syrian leadership does not intend to establish any relations with Iran in the foreseeable future, including the presence of an embassy in Damascus or an Iranian consulate in Aleppo.
In addition to the diplomatic estrangement, it appears that the Syrian government is preparing to file an international lawsuit against Iran. The source revealed that the lawsuit seeks compensation estimated at $300 billion for alleged damages caused by the Iranian regime’s military support for the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime. The source told Al Arabiya that this compensation is based on “the destruction of infrastructure, crimes against the Syrian people, and active participation in suppressing peaceful protests.”
The lawsuit aims to hold the Iranian religious regime accountable for what the source described as “criminal and repressive policies” that caused severe destruction to Syrian infrastructure and resulted in immense human suffering. These actions include the deployment of military forces and proxy militias that supported the Assad government during the ongoing Syrian civil war.
Despite Mohjerani’s claims, Ismail Baqaee, the spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, previously referred to limited communication with Syria’s new leaders. While acknowledging Tehran’s interactions with various Syrian opposition groups, he confirmed the absence of direct contacts with the current ruling administration in Damascus.
Despite Mohjerani’s confirmation during a weekly press conference that “we are committed to diplomacy and ready for discussions. Dialogues are ongoing regarding the reopening of embassies,” these statements reveal a noticeable contradiction in the official stance of the Iranian regime, indicating possible confusion within the regime about its policy towards Syria. This contradiction highlights the broader confusion in Tehran’s narrative about its relations with Damascus, suggesting a decline in its influence in the region.
Syria’s outright rejection of re-establishing relations with Iran and its plan to file the lawsuit represent a clear departure from the diplomatic policy during Bashar al-Assad’s era. This shift towards seeking compensation and distancing from Iran indicates a radical change in Syria’s foreign policy priorities, with a focus on accountability and national reconstruction efforts.
These developments highlight the waning influence of the Iranian regime in the Middle East, as neighboring countries seek to hold Tehran accountable for its interventions and the extensive damage they have caused. However, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the legal actions taken by Syria, but the clear message from Damascus is that Tehran’s role in the country’s crisis will not be forgotten or forgiven.
