During a visit to the UK, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged that his government will stay neutral in the Iran v US/Israel conflict and will prevent weapons smuggling to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Speaking at a Chatham House event in London after meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, al-Sharaa positioned Syria as a war-weary nation determined to stay neutral in the ongoing US-Iran conflict unless directly attacked.
Earlier in the day, al-Sharaa met the Prime Minister at Downing Street, where both leaders described the moment as significant for UK-Syria relations.
They agreed on the importance of avoiding further escalation in the Middle East and restoring regional stability, including the need for a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the severe economic consequences of its prolonged closure.
Both sides committed to working with international partners to restore freedom of navigation.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Syrian government’s actions against Da’esh and highlighted growing UK-Syria cooperation on counter-terrorism. He also outlined ambitions to deepen collaboration on migration issues, including returns, border security, and efforts to disrupt people smuggling networks.
They further discussed Syria’s economic transition, agreeing that infrastructure regeneration would be essential, with potential opportunities for British businesses to contribute across multiple sectors. The leaders agreed to remain in close contact.
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Iran and Hezbollah
“Iran’s interventions in Syria for the past forty years helped the former regime to displace Syrians,” al-Sharaa said at Chatham House. “We suffer from losing more than ten million people who left Syria, and we have missing people numbering close to two hundred and fifty thousand. Iran participated and spearheaded the oppression of the Syrian regime against the Syrian people.”
Al-Sharaa drew a clear distinction: “We do not have a problem with Iran in Tehran. We have a problem with Iran in Damascus because it occupies Syrian towns and villages and displaces people.”
He stressed that Syria’s focus remains on reconstruction, refugee returns, and economic development rather than regional conflicts. While recommending negotiations over military confrontation with Iran, he warned that the ongoing war negatively affects the region by disrupting energy supplies and international trade.
On Hezbollah, al-Sharaa said it is the “duty of the Syrian state to protect its borders.” He added: “No state would accept open borders and smuggling of weapons because if weapons are smuggled, other things would be passed with it.”
He noted that Syria had “paid a price” for Hezbollah’s 14-year intervention alongside the Assad regime, which he said contributed to killing Syrians. Despite this history, he said Damascus applied policies that avoided spilling conflict into Lebanon while prioritising border security and preventing arms flows.
The moderator interpreted his remarks as a confirmation that Syria is acting to stop Iranian weapons reaching Hezbollah.
Al-Sharaa repeatedly emphasised Syria’s desire for neutrality: “Of course, unless Syria is targeted by any party, Syria will remain outside any conflict. We had enough war. We paid a large bill. We are not ready for another war experience.”
He said those who have lived through war “know the value of peace” and expressed a wish for “ideal relationships” with all regional players, including Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and major powers such as the UK, France, Germany and the US.
Domestic transition commitments
Al-Sharaa reaffirmed his pledge to hold elections within five years of taking power in late 2024.
He said the new People’s Assembly (parliament) will hold its first session next month to review laws and prepare for free elections, including legislation to allow political parties. Constitutional redrafting commissions will also be established.
On concerns about so-called “Islamist social restrictions,” such as past detentions for breaking the Ramadan fast or a brief alcohol ban in Damascus, he stated that the administration’s role is to apply laws rather than impose new ones, with ultimate authority resting with the constitution and parliament.
Kurdish integration and national unity
Regarding efforts to unify Syria, al-Sharaa defended actions against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after an integration agreement expired.
He insisted the state must hold a monopoly on weapons and rejected autonomous armed groups.
He revealed details of dialogue with the SDF and said Damascus had offered integration into the Syrian army and institutions, with US mediation attempts but no military backing during clashes.
Russia, Israel and personal notes
Al-Sharaa noted that only two Russian military bases remain in Syria, which he hopes to convert into training facilities for the Syrian army as part of de-escalation.
On Israel, he accused it of violating the 1974 disengagement agreement through bombings and incursions, claiming indirect and direct talks had shown progress before Israel changed its position.
Addressing his past with Al-Qaeda-linked groups, he described it as shaped by regional hardships and said he had rejected their policies, choosing a different path that contributed to ousting the Assad regime.
In a personal aside, al-Sharaa (who has two sons and one daughter) said he does not wish the burdens of the presidency on his children.
