Iran foreign ministry affirms support for Syria鈥檚 sovereignty

People celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Druze-majority Jaramana area of the Damascus countryside on December 22, 2024. (AFP)
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  • Assad fled Syria earlier this month as rebel forces led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) entered the capital Damascus

TEHRAN: Iran affirmed its support for Syria鈥檚 sovereignty on Monday, and said the country should not become 鈥渁 haven for terrorism鈥� after the fall of president Bashar Assad, a longtime Tehran ally.
鈥淥ur principled position on Syria is very clear: preserving the sovereignty and integrity of Syria and for the people of Syria to decide on its future without destructive foreign interference,鈥� foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a weekly press briefing.
He added that the country should not 鈥渂ecome a haven for terrorism,鈥� saying such an outcome would have 鈥渞epercussions鈥� for countries in the region.
Assad fled Syria earlier this month as rebel forces led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) entered the capital Damascus after a lightning offensive.
The takeover by HTS 鈥� proscribed as a terrorist organization by many governments including the United States 鈥� has sparked concern, though the group has in recent years sought to moderate its image.
Headed by Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Syria鈥檚 new leader and an ardent opponent of Iran, the group has spoken out against the Islamic republic鈥檚 influence in Syria under Assad.
Tehran helped prop up Assad during Syria鈥檚 long civil war, providing him with military advisers.
During Monday鈥檚 press briefing, Baqaei said Iran had 鈥渘o direct contact鈥� with Syria鈥檚 new rulers.
Sharaa has received a host of foreign delegations since coming to power.
He met on Sunday with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, and on Monday with Jordan鈥檚 top diplomat Ayman Safadi.
On Friday, the United States鈥� top diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf held a meeting with Sharaa, later saying she expected Syria would completely end any role for Iran in its affairs.
A handful of European delegations have also visited in recent days.
Regional powerhouse 萝莉视频, which has long supported Syria鈥檚 opposition, is expected to send a delegation soon, according to Syria鈥檚 ambassador in Riyadh.