Future of Iran-Syria ties; opportunities, challenges ahead
By Navid Kamali
Foreign affairs expert
The sudden collapse of Syria’s political system after more than five decades of the Assad family’s rule marks a turning point in contemporary Middle East history. The development, which occurred unexpectedly in less than two weeks, has fundamentally altered regional equations and presented a new perspective for regional and international actors. What happened in Damascus not only marked the end of a long-standing regime but also initiated a period of uncertainty and new challenges in the region that could profoundly impact the Middle East’s future.
While these developments are particularly difficult for us Iranians, who have witnessed years of sacrifice by Defenders of the Sayyida Zaynab Shrine in clearing Syrian territory from takfiri and terrorist groups, we must approach these changes based on national interests and resistance considerations. We must acknowledge the new reality governing Syria to prevent the severance of ties between the Iranian and Syrian nations and protect assets such as thousands of Iranian residents in Syria.
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