Iran asserted that the Syrian people will determine their own future independently

In a routine press briefing held in Tehran on Monday, the spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s steadfast dedication to upholding Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Baghaei emphasized the necessity for all parties engaged in the Syrian developments to uphold this principle in their actions.

Baghaei stated that Iran has maintained long-standing communications with opposition factions in Syria, emphasizing that its involvement in the country was primarily intended to thwart the progress of Daesh militants and curb the proliferation of terrorism across the region.

He stated that Iran has played a role in “advancing political processes” in Syria, while emphasizing that there is “no direct association with the current government” of the Arab nation.

Baghaei emphasized the importance of preventing Syria from evolving into a hub for terrorism, urging all nations to acknowledge the potential ramifications of instability in the region. He highlighted that insecurity within one nation could swiftly extend its reach to neighboring countries.

He warned regional nations about the Israeli government’s psychological tactics designed to destabilize the area.

The spokesperson affirmed Iran’s commitment to self-defense and pledged a decisive response to any hostile actions.

Baghaei asserted that the ongoing deployment of U.S. military personnel in Syria jeopardizes initiatives aimed at safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He called on all nations invested in Syria’s future to establish a definitive stance on the matter.

On December 8, the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, in collaboration with other insurgents, took control of Damascus. This significant maneuver compelled former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has reportedly conducted operations targeting Syrian military assets, including the destruction of naval vessels, sea-to-sea missiles, helicopters, and aircraft. These strikes have notably included the complete elimination of the MiG-29 fighter jet fleet and significant ammunition stockpiles at a minimum of five air bases, according to various sources.

Iran and E3 Nations Scheduled to Resume Talks in Mid-January

In other developments, Baghaei announced that a new series of discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear program and regional matters with the European trio—comprising the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—is expected to commence in mid-January.

He stated that Iran and the three European nations, collectively referred to as the E3, initially concurred to proceed with discussions under the previously established format and context.

He emphasized that over the past two decades, Iran has consistently maintained its commitment to negotiations, striving to address concerns without ever abandoning the negotiating table.

Baghaei underscored that Iran’s course of action will hinge on the demeanor and conduct of the parties concerned.

Tensions between Iran and European nations have intensified over the past two years, following allegations made by European countries.

European nations have accused Iran of providing ballistic missiles to Russia for deployment in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a charge that Tehran has firmly denied.

In a recent development concerning Tehran, the European trio successfully advocated for the passage of a resolution by the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in November.

The resolution has criticized Tehran for its insufficient cooperation with the agency and has called for a “comprehensive” report on its nuclear activities by the spring of 2025.

In reaction to recent developments, Iran has announced the activation of a “series of new and advanced centrifuges,” signaling a significant step in its nuclear program.