Iran initiates direct contact with rising political forces in Syria - Reuters
Illustrative photo: Iran is establishing contacts with Syrian rebels (Getty Images)
Iran, having recently lost its key ally in Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has begun a direct dialogue with representatives of the new ruling coalition in Damascus, Reuters reports.
According to the agency's high-ranking sources, Tehran is trying to avoid isolation from the new Syrian government and maintain its influence in the region.
Iran has begun to establish direct ties with two groups within the new Syrian government. The level of interaction will be assessed after the meeting of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.
However, Iran fears that the new Syrian government will push the country away from the Iranian orbit. This, according to the agency's sources, could lead to the loss of a land supply route for Lebanese Hezbollah and access to the Mediterranean Sea, which is key to Iranian geopolitics.
Among other challenges for Iran is the return of Donald Trump to the White House as the second-term president, which creates additional risks for Iran.
The US administration may use political changes in Syria to increase pressure on the Islamic Republic.
Iranian officials insist on the need to maintain ties with the new Syrian leadership, calling for an inclusive government that would represent all segments of Syrian society.
Tehran believes that cooperation with the new Syrian government will help to avoid further aggravation in the region.
Overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime
In late November, large-scale clashes broke out between the rebels of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, units of the Syrian National Army, and the army of dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran.
The rebels captured the strategic city of Aleppo on December 1, and then Hama on December 5.
In an interview with CNN, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, said that the main goal of the rebels is to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad. For more details, see RBC-Ukraine's article.
The rebels managed to achieve their main goal. Assad is now in Moscow.
In addition, Reuters, citing its sources, reported that Türkiye knew about the Syrian rebels' plans to overthrow the Assad regime in advance.
