Iran does not intend to engage with the transitional government of Syria until the new Syrian authorities guarantee security in the country. This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic Abbas Araghchi.
"Iran does not cooperate with the current Syrian government. We do not have any contacts and are in no hurry to establish them. We are not taking any actions against it (referring to the new transitional government - TASS note). We are simply waiting for them to finish the work of ensuring security, stability and to establish an inclusive, legitimate government that includes all ethnic groups," he said in an interview with RT.
According to the Iranian minister, the Syrian issue was raised during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Both Iran and Russia are extremely concerned about the situation in Syria, and both countries are interested in ensuring stability and security in the region, Araghchi added.
From March 6 to 10, security forces under the new Syrian authorities suppressed armed uprisings by supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad in the provinces of Latakia, Tartus, Hama and Homs. As a result of the clashes, more than 1,500 people died.
On March 24, 15 armed supporters of Assad were detained in the mountainous areas on the border of Idlib and Latakia provinces. Several more groups associated with the former authorities were identified in the area of the city of Khan Sheikhoun, where the area was cleared.