Iran‘s President Urges Israel to Withdraw from Syria, Warns of Terror Cell Reactivation
In a policy statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, a longstanding ally of Tehran. He also sounded the alarm on the potential reactivation of terror cells in the war-torn country.
Iranian News Agency (IRNA) reported on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, that Pezeshkian made these remarks during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Tehran. The two leaders had convened to discuss trade, cooperation, and recent developments in Syria.
"Israel’s occupation of Syrian territories and violations of religious sentiments, particularly those of Shia sanctities, were among the key issues discussed," Pezeshkian stated, emphasizing the urgent need for Israel’s withdrawal.
Concurrently, President Pezeshkian issued a stern warning about the resurgence of terror cells in Syria. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, echoed this caution, expressing concerns over the role of foreign powers in the Syrian conflict.
Former Syrian President Assad’s exile followed an abrupt seizure of Damascus by rebel forces led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes against Syrian military facilities, citing the need to prevent strategic weapons from falling into enemy hands.
Furthermore, Israeli forces have occupied strategic positions in the Golan Heights, a zone demilitarized by the United Nations and seized by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Israel has since maintained this territory.
