Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has announced that the door for diplomacy with Israel remains open, urging the Israeli government to seize what he described as a “historic opportunity.” In an interview published Sunday, al-Shaibani expressed his expectation that negotiations regarding a security agreement—which would facilitate an Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory—will resume in the near future.
These discussions were previously suspended following the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, and currently, no specific timeline has been established for their return. Al-Shaibani emphasized that while Damascus believes in the necessity of contact with a party that poses a constant security threat, the effort is contingent on tangible results. “We do not trust Israel currently,” he stated, adding that if the engagement fails to produce progress, it serves no purpose.
The United States has spent over a year attempting to broker a security arrangement between Israel and the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. However, these efforts have been repeatedly undermined by Israeli military incursions and strikes against Syrian government assets. While the Israeli prime minister’s office declined to comment on the matter, officials in Israel have previously signaled an unwillingness to return the Golan Heights to the current administration.
President al-Sharaa has maintained that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors and is instead prioritizing national reconstruction following 14 years of civil war. Despite this, Israeli officials have frequently criticized the new government, even as it seeks to strengthen ties with Washington. Since the 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad, Israel has occupied parts of southwest Syria, citing the need to protect its citizens, and has conducted numerous airstrikes on military sites.
Al-Shaibani argued that Israel’s reliance on “brute force” has failed to achieve its security objectives. He noted that earlier this year, the two sides had reached a tentative agreement on most aspects of a security deal, which included the establishment of buffer zones near the border—some monitored by the United Nations and others by Syrian forces. However, he accused Israel of attempting to evade the implementation of these terms, suggesting a lack of genuine political will.
Tensions were further exacerbated last week when Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase, alleging that Syria intended to allow Turkish forces to deploy there. Both Damascus and Ankara have denied these claims. Al-Shaibani confirmed that Syria maintains military cooperation with Turkiye, as well as with Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and expressed gratitude for Turkish support in rebuilding the Syrian military, stating, “we won’t forgo support.”
Regarding the broader regional situation, US special envoy Tom Barrack is currently working to establish a mechanism to prevent conflict between Israel, Turkiye, and Syria. Al-Shaibani noted that while no agreement on this mechanism has been reached, it must focus on halting Israeli aggression rather than “entrenching Israeli occupation.” He reiterated that the immediate priority is to stop these attacks, which he believes must precede any broader discussions regarding peace or the status of the Golan Heights.
Ultimately, al-Shaibani remains cautious about the prospects for success, noting that “it’s very hard to bet on Israel.” Nevertheless, he affirmed that Syria is extending its hand for peace and regional stability, hoping to build stable relationships with its neighbors despite the persistent challenges. The report also notes that saying confidence-building steps were needed in this direction, al-Shaibani also stressed that Damascus’s priority is to halt Israeli attacks. The report also notes that then we don’t need it,” al-Shaibani said, but if this contact doesn’t bring results. The report also notes that he said the US is pressuring Israel to return to the dialogue table. The report also notes that instead of violating its airspace and conducting raids and arrests in the south of the country, al-Shaibani said Syria respected Israel’s security concerns but that it must also respect those of Damascus. The report also notes that syria and Israel have technically been in a state of war since 1948. The report also notes that israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967. The report also notes that the US Department of State did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
