Syrian Foreign Minister Expresses Hope for Resumption of Security Talks with Israel

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated in an interview with Reuters that he expects security negotiations with Israel to resume soon. Al-Shaibani urged Israel to seize a historic opportunity for diplomacy, though he noted that Syria currently does not trust Israel. The talks, which have been frozen since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, concern a security deal that would lead to Israel's withdrawal from Syrian territory seized after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. According to al-Shaibani, the two sides had agreed on almost everything on paper earlier this year, including the creation of security zones and a United Nations buffer zone, but he claimed Israel sought to evade implementation.

The United States has spent over a year attempting to broker this deal between Israel and the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is described as a new US ally. Al-Shaibani claimed that Washington is continuously pressuring Israel to return to the dialogue table. Meanwhile, US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that the US is working to establish a mechanism to prevent conflict among Israel, Turkey, and Syria.

Tensions remain high following an Israeli bombing of the Abu al-Duhur airbase. Israel claimed the strike was necessary because Damascus was allowing Turkish forces to deploy there, a claim denied by both Syria and Turkey. Al-Shaibani emphasized that Damascus' immediate priority is the cessation of Israeli attacks and raids. He suggested that once Israeli aggression stops, the parties could then address the topics of peace and the Golan Heights, which Israel seized in 1967.

Framing of the situation varies by political lean. Center and center-left reports focus on the diplomatic opening and the potential for regional stability. Center-right coverage highlights the security risks, noting that some Israeli officials have described the new Syrian leadership as barely disguised jihadists.