Syria's Interim President Turns Away From Iran, Reaches Out to Saudi Arabia and Turkey

Syria's new interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is marking a new chapter in his nation's political landscape, signaling a shift away from Iran’s influence. After taking power in December, Sharaa made it clear that his priorities lie with regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, rather than with Iran, which had been a crucial ally of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

During a significant visit to Saudi Arabia on February 2, Sharaa was greeted warmly by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reinforcing his message that Syria is distancing itself from Tehran. This diplomatic move comes after a series of interactions with foreign delegations—none of which have included any Iranian representatives.

Iran's absence from the diplomatic stage in Syria under Sharaa is noteworthy. Iran had heavily invested in Assad's regime during the Syrian Civil War, sending military advisers and providing financial support to quash opposition. However, Sharaa’s government appears determined to sever those ties, with analysts noting that the relationship between Syria and Iran has become increasingly strained due to years of bloodshed and ideological differences.

Sharaa’s diplomatic overtures to Saudi Arabia and other regional powers highlight his goal of gaining international recognition and easing Syria’s isolation. Phillip Smyth, a Middle East expert, commented that Sharaa’s visit to Saudi Arabia sends a clear signal to Tehran, given the historical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

For Saudi Arabia, this new alignment with Sharaa presents an opportunity to reshape Syria’s future while curbing Iran’s influence in the region. Saudi Arabia has long seen Iran’s proxies and the spread of Shiite militias as a threat, making the rise of a non-Iranian-backed Syrian government an appealing development.

Masoud Aflak, a political analyst, explained that Sharaa’s Saudi visit could help Syria move closer to lifting Western sanctions, acquiring foreign aid, and rebuilding a country torn apart by years of civil war. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is keen to avoid a power vacuum in Syria that could be exploited by extremist groups or Iran-backed militias, which would pose a direct threat to regional stability.

The Role of Russia and the Iranian Dilemma

While Iran faces exclusion from Syria’s new power structure, Russia has managed to maintain its diplomatic ties with Sharaa’s government. Unlike Iran, which pursued a sectarian and ideological agenda in Syria, Russia has focused more on pragmatic objectives. As the Syrian civil war winds down, Russia is positioning itself as a potential mediator between the new Syrian government and Western powers, offering a counterweight to the United States and European nations.

For Iran, however, the loss of Syria as a key ally is a significant blow to its regional ambitions. Iran had relied on Syria as a corridor to project its influence throughout the Levant, connecting it to Hezbollah in Lebanon and other allied forces. Despite this, Iran’s efforts to re-engage with Sharaa's government seem unlikely to succeed, as the interim president has made it clear that he is not interested in rekindling ties with Tehran.

While Iran has not entirely closed the door on establishing relations with Sharaa, its attempts to rebuild ties are complicated by the ongoing instability and its diminishing influence in the region. The Iranian leadership, particularly Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has signaled its disapproval of Sharaa’s government, leaving Tehran in a difficult position. Analysts suggest that Iran may resort to fueling sectarian violence or propping up militias to undermine Sharaa’s authority.