SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS DOOR OPEN TO ISRAEL DIPLOMACY

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated that diplomatic channels with Israel remain open and urged the country to seize a "historic opportunity" for negotiation. In an interview with Reuters published on Sunday, al-Shaibani said talks over a security deal that would lead to Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory are expected to resume soon. He noted that negotiations over the security agreement were frozen when the United States-Israel war on Iran began, and no date has been set for talks to restart. Al-Shaibani emphasised that Damascus's priority is halting Israeli attacks and that confidence-building steps are necessary to move forward.

The United States has attempted to broker a security deal between Israel and the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for more than a year, though an agreement remains unresolved. Israel has deployed troops into Syrian territory and conducted attacks on government assets, citing security threats. Al-Shaibani stated: "We do not trust Israel currently," adding that contact with Israel must produce results or it is unnecessary. The office of Israel's Prime Minister did not respond to requests for comment on the diplomatic overture.

The remarks follow recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase, which Israel said were based on intelligence about Turkish military deployment plans. Both Syria and Turkey have rejected claims of plans to establish permanent Turkish military presence in Syria. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Israel does not seek escalation with Turkey but "will not accept" Turkish bases in Syria, citing concerns about regional infiltration by Iran in Lebanon and Gaza. Al-Sharaa has said Syria poses no threat to other countries and remains focused on rebuilding after 14 years of civil war.