Iran in talks to reopen embassy in Damascus

The Iranian government is in the process of diplomatic consultations to reopen its embassy in Damascus, according to spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani.

Speaking during her weekly press conference at the Tehran International Exhibition today, Mohajerani addressed questions about Iran’s stance on Syria following the overthrow of former president and key regional ally Bashar Al-Assad. The embassy was stormed by rebels after diplomats abandoned it and evacuated the country ahead of the fall of the capital.

“It is important for us that the government in Syria be established based on the Syrians’ votes and preserve the territorial integrity of Syria,” she told reporters in her weekly press conference.

“Stopping the outbreak and spread of terrorism is so crucial for us so that Syria and other neighbouring countries are not harmed,” she added. While confirming discussions are underway to re-establish the embassy, she did not provide further details.

Iranian government spokesperson: Iran’s approach to Syria is diplomatic, and consultations are underway to reopen the embassies of the two countries. pic.twitter.com/tUqnzlyWk0

— IranView 24 (@IranView24) December 24, 2024

The announcement comes amid reports that Iranian flights to Syria will remain suspended until late January, as reported by Iranian media.

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Separately, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, dismissed claims of direct contact with Syria’s new interim government. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Baqaei said: “There is no direct contact between Iran and the ruling current in Syria at present.” He acknowledged past contact with some opposition groups to resolve the crisis but reiterated Tehran’s policy of supporting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On Saturday, Baqaei expressed condolences to the family of Seyyed Davood Bitaraf, an embassy staff member who was assassinated by “terrorist elements.” He confirmed that Bitaraf’s body was repatriated to Iran in recent days, adding that it was the responsibility of the Syrian transitional government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday, the country’s de-facto leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa – known more commonly as Muhammed Al-Jolani – insisted that the collapse of the Assad government “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.”

“By removing Iranian militias and closing Syria to Iranian influence, we’ve served the region’s interests—achieving what diplomacy and external pressure could not, with minimal losses,” he insisted.

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