WANA (Dec 04) – Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, voiced concerns about rising terrorism and violent extremism in Syria at a Security Council meeting. He highlighted recent events in Aleppo and Idlib as warnings that could threaten regional and international stability. Iravani reaffirmed, “The Islamic Republic of Iran remains steadfast in its support for the Syrian government and its people in their fight against terrorism.

 

Iravani thanked Syria and the A3+1 group (Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Guyana) for initiating the emergency session. He also thanked Russia and China for ensuring the issue’s prominence at the Security Council and acknowledged the report of Special Envoy Geir Pedersen.

 

Highlighting recent developments, Iravani condemned the coordinated attacks by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda affiliate also known as Jabhat al-Nusra. He described these operations as serious threats to Syria’s sovereignty and stability.

 

Citing a December 1 letter from Syria’s permanent representative, Iravani noted that HTS orchestrated extensive and coordinated assaults on Aleppo and Idlib provinces, resulting in devastating consequences for the region and its people.

The Iranian consulate in Aleppo was deliberately targeted during these attacks, a move Iravani labeled a blatant violation of international law. “Attacks on diplomatic and consular premises are unequivocally prohibited under international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” he said, holding nations arming and supporting terrorist groups accountable for such violations.

 

Iravani asserted that foreign interference and external support perpetuate terrorism in Syria, undermining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He accused the United States of leveraging terrorism as a tool in its foreign policy, pointing to the advanced weapons and drones used by HTS as evidence of deliberate foreign backing. “Those responsible for fueling this conflict must be held accountable for the devastating consequences inflicted upon the Syrian people,” he added.

 

The Iranian ambassador highlighted the erosion of agreements established under the Astana Process to de-escalate tensions in Idlib. He criticized recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Syrian civilians and infrastructure, alleging a direct connection between these attacks and efforts to destabilize Syria further.

“Israel’s relentless strikes on border crossings between Syria and Lebanon have disrupted the delivery of critical humanitarian aid and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes,” Iravani stated, describing these actions as part of a broader campaign to exacerbate the crisis in Syria.

 

Iravani concluded by calling for a unified international effort to address the root causes of terrorism and foreign intervention in Syria, emphasizing the need to preserve the country’s sovereignty and stability.

 

Amir Saeid Iravani, issued a stark warning about the resurgence of terrorism and extremism in Syria, emphasizing its potential to destabilize the broader region. Iravani stated, “The events in Aleppo and Idlib should serve as a wake-up call for the entire region about the reemergence of terrorism and violent extremism. The consequences of insecurity and terrorism in Syria will not remain confined to its borders but will inevitably threaten wider regional and global stability.”

Iravani underscored the need for a unified stance against all forms of terrorism, rejecting any notion of “good” or “bad” terrorism. Referring to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an UN-designated terrorist group, he described it as a serious threat to regional peace and stability. “If the international community fails to decisively confront HTS, its growing influence in parts of Syria could lead to catastrophic consequences for the region and pose a significant challenge to global peace and security,” Iravani warned.

 

Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to supporting Syria, Iravani stated, “Iran remains steadfast in its support for the Syrian government and its people in their just and determined fight against terrorism.” He emphasized the necessity of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in counterterrorism efforts, stressing that all actions must be carried out with the Syrian government’s coordination and consent.

 

Iravani also highlighted Iran’s active diplomatic engagements within the Astana Process framework, which involves Russia, Turkey, and Syria, to address the ongoing crisis. He revealed that Iran has proposed an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from Astana Process countries to develop a unified strategy to counter terrorist activities in Syria.

Reiterating Iran’s long-standing position, Iravani emphasized that a sustainable resolution to the Syrian crisis must be political and led by the Syrian people. “This solution must preserve Syria’s sovereignty and independence, end foreign occupation and interference, cease exploitation of Syrian resources, and halt all support for terrorist groups,” he said. He urged all parties to engage in dialogue and actively participate in the political process.

 

Iravani called on the international community to prioritize humanitarian aid, infrastructure reconstruction, and the safe return of refugees. “The people of Syria deserve peace, dignity, and the opportunity to rebuild their country free from terrorism and foreign interference,” he concluded.

 

Iran’s representative reiterated the importance of concerted international efforts to address the root causes of the Syrian crisis, warning that without decisive action, the region faces further instability.