Iranian UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani strongly denied accusations by the US that Iran was backing terrorist movements and undermining Syrian sovereignty on 12 February 2025. The ministry said that while the US was following the approach, it also called for negotiating with Iran about the nuclear program, contrary to Washington’s speeches. Iran insists that it has always supported diplomacy and has engaged in good-faith negotiations. But it also stands as a reminder that, with the Islamic Republic, threats and coercion have never succeeded. Iranian officials, for their part, warn that pursuing such a contradictory policy only tends to fuel suspicion and eliminate any possibility of constructive diplomatic ties. Iavani responded by calling such claims “baseless” and an effort aimed at misleading the whole community.

Iran’s aspiration for Syria’s self-determination

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed reporters after the conference in Doha that everybody who attended the meeting was on board with stopping the fighting and with the Syrian government and “legitimate opposition groups” initiating a political dialogue.

He had met with Iraqi and Syrian counterparts the previous day in Baghdad, and their only way to avoid further escalation, they claimed, was through “continuous coordination, cooperation, and diplomatic engagement.” Iran is thus portrayed as protecting Syrian sovereignty against foreign attempts.

Iran must present itself as a stabilizer in Syria rather than an aggressor if it is to maintain its diplomatic ground. Iravani claimed Iran would collaborate with honorable foreign allies in the campaign against terrorism and present its activities as part of a general policy of regional stabilization. By framing the Syrian conflict as a many-sided war and foreign intervention as a many-sided involvement, this alternative narrative seeks to discredit US arguments.

Iravani claimed that the “unjust and unlawful” US and EU sanctions against Syria impede humanitarian work and worsen the economic problems of the country. He maintained that the vulnerable are severely impacted by these sanctions, making it more difficult for them to access the vital materials and services they need to heal.

Iravani advocated for lifting sanctions on Syria during his speech to respond to humanitarian needs and ensure the country’s recovery. He emphasized that sanctions impose tough-sounding effects on ordinary Syrians living under conditions of constant violence and chaos, besides targeting the workings of the government. Iran’s more general campaign to present itself as a friend to Syria’s rebound against what it sees as penalizing measures taken by Western countries is evident here in this appeal.

Israel’s violations in Syria

Israel’s continued military campaigns in Syria have been denounced by Iravani as persistent abuses of Syrian sovereignty with US backing. He criticized Israel for being insensitive to its abuses of international law while bombing Syrian military targets in an attempt to counter Iranian influence.

Iravani called on the UN Security Council to denounce Israel for what it has been undertaking in Syria and to effectively counter its aggression against these atrocities. This call for responsibility is a demonstration of Iran’s insistence on bringing attention to self-claimed Israel’s atrocities and deflecting attention away from itself regarding what it has been undertaking in Syria.

Shifting away from Iranian dependence, the new government seems determined to overhaul Syria’s foreign policy.

A core component of Iran’s asymmetric warfare approach has been its dependence on partner militias that are regionally distributed. Tehran’s capacity to exert influence over its proxies is, however, seriously threatened by recent reverses like the very publicly reported assassinations of influential network commanders. The shifting dynamics in Syria make it difficult for Iran to act and threaten its traditional ability to deter Israel.

Iran’s forceful reaction to US accusations about Syria

Iran’s strong denial of American accusations of its Syrian role is part of a larger strategy to maintain its position in the face of changing geopolitics. Iran is trying to position itself as an agent for stability in the face of perceived external aggressions by denouncing sanctions and Israeli behavior and re-establishing itself as a champion of Syrian sovereignty.

But Tehran is confronted with serious challenges to uphold its strategic interests in light of the politics of leadership change in Syria and mounting threats against Iranian proxies in the whole region.