Iran is still grappling with the fallout from Bashar Assad’s regime collapse in Syria. It invested heavily in Assad’s rule in Damascus and likely expected it to continue for many years.
However, Assad fell from power in early December. Now, Iran is scrambling to find a way to initiate ties with the new leadership in Damascus.
Iran knows that it used Syria for years as a base for attacks on Israel and also to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.
Tehran has currently shifted its narrative. “Syria’s future should be determined without foreign interference or imposition,” it says.
The Islamic Republic was one of the major foreign countries interfering in Syria. However, Iran is shifting its rhetoric to try and portray Israel as the major interfering country.
Iranian state media runs daily articles on how Israel was sending forces to areas along the border. Tehran is accusing Israel of “occupying” new areas there.
What are the key points Iran is making about Syria?
Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saied Iravani, made a statement this week trying to show Iran’s new policy on Syria.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its unwavering support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” he said.
Iravani claimed Iran’s future should only be decided by Syrians, “free from external interference or imposition.” He called for an inclusive Syrian government and a new constitution for Syria.
Iran is also calling for Damascus to maintain its governing institutions. Tehran expressed concern that the country could collapse and fragment.
“Lessons from past conflicts underline the importance of institutional continuity for basic services, the rule of law, and trust-building. The international community must support Syria’s institutional resilience, respecting its sovereignty and the will of its people,” it said.
This is ironic since it was Iran’s involvement in Syria that hollowed the country out and weakened its institutions.
The Islamic Republic also said that it “condemns Israel’s continued violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
According to it, “The Israeli-occupying regime has exploited the current situation in Syria to pursue its political agendas and further destroy Syria’s infrastructure.”
Notably, Iran did not condemn Turkey for occupying northern Syria. It often seeks to be a closer partner to Turkey.
In addition, Tehran said that “immediate aid must be prioritized, and unilateral sanctions on Syria must be lifted. The continuation of these inhumane and illegal measures is unjustifiable, as they disproportionately harm the most vulnerable, worsen economic hardships, and violate the fundamental rights of the Syrian people.”
Lastly, Iran sees Syria as a “pivotal” country in the region. It knows this because it tried to use Syria as a crossroads for smuggling weapons to Hezbollah and propping up Iran’s “axis of resistance.”
After creating conflict for Syrians, Iran now says that “the Syrian people deserve peace, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their nation free from external interference.”
The Islamic Republic claims it has “consistently played a pivotal and constructive role in promoting regional peace and security, paying a heavy price both in material and human costs in the fight against terrorism in Syria and the wider region.”
So, Iran congratulates itself for helping Syria fight ISIS as well. “These efforts also played a critical role in bringing an end to Daesh’s [ISIS] control in both Iraq and Syria,” it said.
Now, Iran hopes that Damascus will continue to be a friend of Tehran. Iran is attempting to highlight their “deep historical and friendly relations.”
It’s not clear if Syria feels the same way.