Iran calls for cessation of conflict and national dialogue in Syria

The European Union’s new foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday that the collapse of the Syrian government highlights the weakness of President Bashar al-Assad's supporters, namely Russia and Iran.

“The end of Assad’s dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran,” she said on X.

In response to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Ahmad Nadri, a member of Iran’s parliament, urged a strategic shift for Iran.

He proposed that the country focus on nuclear testing and prioritize revitalizing the so-called ‘resistance front’ in the aftermath of the Syrian crisis.

Rouhollah Rahimpour, a political analyst, told Iran International that there is clearly no comprehensive and systematic analysis of the events in Syria in the Islamic Republic's media.

Referring to the approach of some newspapers like Kayhan, he said, "Some of these media outlets consider the situation a victory for Israel, while others reduce the issue to internal Syrian matters."

According to Rahimpour, the Islamic Republic's calculations regarding Syria have been thrown into such disarray that they are unable to consolidate an analysis of the situation and their current position.

Syria’s foreign ministry and its embassies across the world will remain operational to serve Syrians, the foreign ministry said in its first statement since the fall of Damascus.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the Syrian Arab Republic and its diplomatic missions abroad will remain committed to serving all fellow citizens and managing their affairs,” it said on Sunday.

“Today, a new page is being written in the history of Syria inaugurating a national covenant and charter to unite Syrians and does not divide them,” the statement said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Bashar al-Assad has left office and departed Syria, following instructions for a peaceful handover of power.

While it did not reveal Assad's current location, the ministry said that Russia had not been involved in the negotiations surrounding his exit.

Russian military bases in Syria are reportedly on high alert but face no immediate threat.

Moscow also emphasized its communication with Syrian opposition groups, urging all parties to refrain from violence.

Reuters reported that Assad boarded a plane from Damascus airport around the time rebels took control of the capital, though it remains unclear if he was on board.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speculated that Assad was “probably outside of Syria,” while UAE advisor Anwar Gargash declined to confirm reports of possible asylum.

UN envoy Geir Pederson said he had no information on Assad's whereabouts. Some Syrian sources have suggested the ousted leader may have been killed after the flight took off.