WANA (Aug 22) – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations expressed concern on Thursday at the Security Council meeting about the transfer of certain terrorist elements from Syria to Afghanistan, describing it as a direct threat to Afghanistan’s neighbors and to regional stability.

 

Amir Saeid Iravani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the Security Council session on “The Situation in the Middle East: (Syria).”

 

He noted that the humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, and expressed appreciation to OCHA, UN agencies, and humanitarian partners for providing life-saving assistance under challenging circumstances.

 

The Iranian envoy reiterated the Security Council’s call for full, safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected communities, in full conformity with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. In this regard, he welcomed the lifting of all unilateral and unlawful coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people.

 

Iravani stressed that such illegal measures only deepen the humanitarian crisis, block reconstruction, and disrupt economic recovery. Their removal, he said, is essential to enable the safe and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons.

 

He underscored that sanctions must never be used as a tool of political coercion or interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

 

Referring to the latest report of the Monitoring Team of the 1267 Sanctions Committee, which highlights the ongoing and serious threat of terrorism in Syria, Iravani said that Daesh, Al-Qaeda, and foreign terrorist fighters continue to destabilize Syria and the wider region, gravely undermining regional and international peace and security. He voiced deep concern over credible reports of the transfer of some terrorist elements and foreign terrorist fighters from Syria to Afghanistan, calling it a direct threat to Afghanistan’s neighbors and regional stability.

 

He emphasized that all states must fully comply with international law in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

 

The Ambassador also noted that the situation in Sweida remains fragile. While a ceasefire has temporarily restored calm, clashes persist, and the risk of renewed violence remains high in the absence of sustainable arrangements. He highlighted the alarming humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of nearly 200,000 civilians and restricted access to affected populations. Referring to the Council’s Presidential Statement of 10 August condemning these crimes and calling for protection of all Syrians, he welcomed the condemnation and commitment of the interim Syrian authorities to investigate the incidents.

 

He stressed, however, that accountability—including for crimes committed against Alawite communities in Latakia and Tartous—must be swift, credible, transparent, and impartial, and urged the authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.

 

Iravani further expressed concern over continued clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and interim authorities in the northeast, emphasizing that sustained political engagement between the parties must be actively encouraged and expanded to prevent further escalation and create meaningful avenues for dialogue.

 

The Iranian envoy stated that the Security Council must not ignore Israel’s ongoing destabilizing actions in Syria. He said Israel’s repeated acts of aggression have caused civilian casualties, destroyed vital infrastructure, and heightened regional tensions. He firmly rejected any attempt to undermine Syria’s sovereignty, alter its demographic composition, or partition its territory, and expressed regret that the Council’s recent Presidential Statement failed to address these violations.

 

He added that Israel’s continued unlawful occupation of the Syrian Golan, in violation of international law, the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, must come to an end without delay.

 

Reaffirming Iran’s position, Iravani stressed that the only sustainable path forward for Syria is a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations, in line with the core principles of Security Council Resolution 2254.

 

Such a process, he said, must safeguard the rights and legitimate aspirations of all Syrians, while preserving Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and national institutions. In this context, while taking note of ongoing preparations for indirect elections for the interim parliament, he emphasized that these efforts should form part of a broader and genuinely inclusive political process.