Syria's holy sites and embassy will be safeguarded: Iranian FM

In a televised interview, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that assurances have been made regarding the protection of Iran’s embassy, consulate in Aleppo, and sacred sites in Syria, including the Bibi Zainab and Bibi Ruqayyah shrines.

Araghchi stated that multiple parties had committed to ensuring the security of these sites, despite a recent intrusion into the embassy, which he described as non-violent and likely carried out by ordinary civilians.

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s role in providing political support to the Syrian government but clarified that Iran’s intention was never to replace Syria’s military in managing internal affairs. 

He also stressed the importance of dialogue between the Syrian government and non-terrorist opposition groups.

Araghchi said Iran’s approach to the new forces in control of Damascus will depend on their behavior. 

He outlined that Iran is considering how they will act toward Iran, the Syrian Shiite community, Israel, and terrorist organisations, as well as their overall diplomatic stance.

Araghchi reminded that Iran had been a staunch ally of former President Bashar al-Assad, providing critical support in his battle to retain power throughout the Syrian civil war.

Syria rebel fighters raced into Damascus unopposed on Sunday, overthrowing President Assad and ending nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule after a lightning advance that reversed the course of a 13-year civil war.

In one of the most consequential turning points in the Middle East for generations, the fall of Assad's government wiped out a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world.

Meanwhile, Assad and his family arrived in Russia and was granted asylum by the Russian authorities, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing a Kremlin source.

The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: "President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds."