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Iranwire – Iran’s foreign ministry on Sunday expressed expectations of continued “friendly” relations with Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Damascus.
In an official statement, the ministry reaffirmed that the historical ties between Iran and Syria would persist.
“The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue,” the statement read.
During the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 with peaceful protests met by violent regime repression, Iran provided substantial support to al-Assad. This included deploying thousands of fighters to support his government during the conflict.
The foreign ministry outlined Iran’s position on Syria, emphasizing “respect for Syria’s unity, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
It added, “Determining Syria’s destiny and deciding its future lies only with the people of this country, without destructive interference or external imposition.”
The statement adds, “Achieving this goal requires the swift end to military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist actions, and the start of national dialogue with the participation of all segments of Syrian society to establish an inclusive government representing all the people of Syria.”
The statement followed a rapid rebel offensive that ousted al-Assad from power, dramatically altering Syria’s political landscape in just 11 days.
Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow and was granted asylum on “humanitarian grounds” after rebels took control of the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive.
Russian state media reported that Assad and his family arrived in the capital on Sunday night after his palace was looted and thousands of prisoners were freed, marking a swift end to his family’s decades-long rule.
