Iran affirms support for Syria’s sovereignty

TEHRAN: Iran affirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty on Monday, and said the country should not become “a haven for terrorism” after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad, a longtime Tehran ally.

“Our 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,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a weekly press briefing.

He added that the country should not “become a haven for terrorism”, saying such an outcome would have “repercussions” 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 – proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many governments including the US – has sparked concern, though the group has in recent years sought to moderate its image.

Headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader and an ardent opponent of Iran, the group has spoken out against the Islamic republic’s influence in Syria under Assad.

Tehran helped prop up Assad during Syria’s long civil war, providing him with military advisers.

During Monday’s press briefing, Baqaei said Iran had “no direct contact” with Syria’s 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’s top diplomat Ayman Safadi.

On Friday, the US’s 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 Saudi Arabia, which has long supported Syria’s opposition, is expected to send a delegation soon, according to Syria’s ambassador in Riyadh.