Iran dismisses Arab League accusations, says wants stability in Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the Arab League's accusations against Iran, naming several reasons why Tehran seeks "stability" in Syria.

Araghchi made the remarks in a post in Arabic on his X account on Friday in response to the latest statement issued by the Arab League which accuses Iran of meddling in Syria's affairs. 

"Like you, we also desire stability, calm, and the prevention of chaos and disturbances in Syria for very clear reasons," he wrote while addressing the Arab League members, before listing nine reasons. 

He cited preserving Syria’s territorial integrity, security of all ethnic and religious groups, and sanctity of shrines and holy sites as well as limiting the possession of illegal weapons as among Iran’s reasons.

Rejecting "any form of foreign intervention under any pretext", preventing Syria from becoming a "haven for terrorism", and ensuring Syria does not pose a threat to neighbors and region were the three other reasons named by the Iranian minister. 

He noted that stability is needed in Syria to "prevent further adventurism and dangerous expansionist policies by Israel" and "finally to form an inclusive government" in the country. 

Meanwhile, he warned against attempts to incite strife and divert public attention toward "unrealistic threats". The objectives of those inciting strife are "to legitimize the continued occupation of parts of Syrian territory, especially by Israel and the United States,  justify foreign intervention in Syria's internal affairs, deprive certain segments of the Syrian population of participating in determining their own destiny, and to achieve their desires by blaming external factors for the country's problems."

"Going through the current turbulent period in the region requires rationality, participation, cooperation, and avoiding the stirring of conflicts and temporary interests," Araghchi stressed.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran agrees with other countries in the region on a peaceful and secure transition towards the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all currents, ethnics and religions in Syria and is ready to help achieve the aforementioned goals,” he said.

Militants after ‘peace’ with Israel: HTS official

The new “governor” of the Syrian capital Damascus says the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group is after establishing “peace” with the Israeli regime.

On Wednesday, tens of thousands took to the streets in the Syrian cities of Latakia, Tartus, Homs, Hama, and Qardaha but the country's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants, who rule the country, attacked them, leading to deadly confrontations. 

It came after a video emerged of a fire inside a shrine in Aleppo, where militants - whom mainstream media has tried to depict as tolerant despite their history of close links with the most violent Takfiri groups such as Daesh and al-Qaeda - walked inside and killed its guards. 

On Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators protested in Christian areas of Damascus against the burning of a Christmas tree by militants near Syria’s Hama.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham administration, which led the onslaught that toppled Assad earlier this month, has repeatedly claimed they would respect the beliefs and rights of all sects and religions in Syria.

The situation, however, remains very fluid and fragile, with a potential risk of further clashes as sectarian sentiments continue to boil over, amid the ongoing political instability and pressures on minority groups.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Thursday voiced concern over rising insecurity and violence in Syria, stressing “the necessity of preventing the spread of insecurity and violence against different segments of Syrian society, and ensuring the safety of all citizens”.

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