Speaking at the Syrian Expert Panel at the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF) on Monday, Mohammadrezaraufushibani, a special aide to the Foreign Minister, said the main challenge facing Syria is the occupation of territory by foreign forces.
He noted that some Arab countries remained occupied by Israel, while others are under US and Turkey control.
He warned that continuing occupation of Syrian lands could lead to uncertainty, instability and ethnic conflict, paving the way for the country’s revival of terrorism.
Shivani also expressed concern over the continued disregard for Syrian minority rights, which historically had been the source of the country’s conflict.
Emphasizing the meaning of the broader region, the diplomat emphasized that peace and stability in Syria is essential to the security of Iran and the region as a whole. He noted that the collapse of Syria was a strategic goal pursued by Israel for a long time.
Syria’s security situation has been further exacerbated under the control of Taharil al-Sham (HTS), a group of extremists that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s government in December. Denominational violence has skyrocketed, with the massacre of hundreds of Alawians in March deepening fear among minority groups.
Since the collapse of Assad’s government, Israel has expanded its occupation in southern Syria, launching hundreds of airstrikes, targeting mainly Syrian military sites.
MNA/IRN