Iran and Oman urge Syria's unity and establishment of inclusive government

Foreign ministers of the two countries called for respecting all ethnicities and religions

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, right, and Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi give a joint press conference in Tehran on December 30. AFP

Iran and Oman stressed on Monday the need to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and form an inclusive government by the rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), who toppled Bashar Al Assad’s regime, a key regional ally of Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hosted his Omani counterpart Badr Al Busaidi in Tehran where they discussed bilateral relations and the continuing developments in the region, including the war in Gaza and the developments in Syria and Yemen, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

“We had a detailed discussion on Syria, and we agree on preserving territorial integrity, respecting all ethnicities and religions, and the formation of an inclusive government,” Mr Araghchi said in a joint press conference.

For his part, Mr Al Busaidi, said that the meeting emphasised "the policy of maintaining the independence and territorial integrity of Syria and the sovereignty of this country".

In recent months, Iran has faced significant setbacks as its so-called "Axis of Resistance" – a coalition of anti-Israel militias central to its foreign policy for years – has begun to unravel. Hamas has suffered severe losses, including the continuing war in Gaza and the assassination of its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, along with his successor, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza. Similarly, Israel has eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several of the group’s commanders in Lebanon. These developments have coincided with the toppling of Bashar Al Assad's regime in Syria.

Oman has been a key mediator between Iran and the West, especially regarding its controversial nuclear programme.

“We have always appreciated our Omani friends,” the Iranian minister said, adding that “no messages were exchanged during this visit, and we will continue to exchange the necessary messages with the American side at the appropriate time through the Swiss Embassy”.

Mr Al Busaidi, who led a political and economic delegation, hailed the relation with Iran as “historical”, saying both countries pledged to boost the bilateral relations in different fields.