Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

Syria responds to US demands, says will not be threat to 'Israel'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 26 Apr 2025 09:07
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Syria responds to US conditions for sanctions relief, pledging action on chemical weapons and missing Americans, while seeking talks on foreign fighters, strikes, and Palestinian fighters in Syria.

Listen
  • x
  • Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani speaks as he attends a Security Council meeting on the situation of the Middle East at United Nations Headquarters on Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP)
    Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani speaks as he attends a Security Council meeting on the situation of the Middle East at United Nations Headquarters on Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP)

Syria has submitted a formal response to a list of US Syria conditions for potential sanctions relief, stating it has fulfilled most demands, but that others require “mutual understandings” with Washington, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Reuters.

Perhaps most importantly, the letter vows that Syria would not become a threat to "Israel".

The United States previously presented Syria with eight conditions, including the destruction of remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and ensuring that foreigners are not given senior government roles. The request comes as Syria seeks relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy after 14 years of war and isolation.

Although Washington issued a six-month exemption in January to ease sanctions for humanitarian aid, its impact has been limited. In return for meeting all the demands, the US offered to extend the suspension for two years and possibly grant further exemptions.

Reuters first reported that US official Natasha Franceschi delivered the conditions to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during a March 18 meeting in Brussels. In his first address to the United Nations Security Council, Shibani emphasized that Syria was acting on several of the requests, notably regarding Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles and the search for missing Americans.

The four-page Syrian letter to the US pledged to establish a liaison office within the Foreign Ministry to assist in locating missing American journalist Austin Tice and detailed steps to cooperate with global arms watchdogs on chemical disarmament.

Related News

'Israel' in direct, daily contact with new Syrian gov.: Israeli media

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

No threat to 'Israel'

However, the letter was less forthcoming on other critical points, including the removal of foreign fighters in Syria and granting the US permission to conduct counterterrorism strikes.

The letter indicated that discussions had been held with former US envoy Daniel Rubinstein regarding foreign fighters but described the matter as needing “broader consultative sessions.” It noted that military promotions for foreign fighters had been suspended but did not confirm whether previous appointments had been revoked.

Syria also addressed concerns about Palestinian factions operating within its territory. The letter stated that a committee had been formed to monitor these groups and assured that armed factions outside of state control would not be tolerated. Notably, Syria pledged not to allow its territory to become a source of threat to any party, “including Israel.”

On 'counterterrorism', Syria’s position was that any such cooperation “requires mutual understandings.” The letter affirmed that the interim government would not permit threats to US or Western interests, but stopped short of committing to specific actions.

Syria expressed a willingness to engage further with Washington, suggesting that the steps taken could lead to detailed discussions about lifting sanctions and reopening embassies. The letter, sent on April 14, arrived shortly before Shibani traveled to New York, where he was expected to discuss the response with US officials.

The document proposed ongoing dialogue about coordinating anti-extremist efforts without directly authorizing US strikes, a sensitive issue given past foreign military interventions.

The letter acknowledged existing communication between Syrian counterterrorism officials and US representatives in Amman, revealing previously unreported direct contact aimed at combating ISIS elements. Syria indicated it was open to expanding this collaboration under mutually agreed-upon terms.

Read more: US holds Syrian government forces responsible for massacres in West

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Asaad Hassan al-Shibani
  • US sanctions on Syria
  • Israel
  • ISIS
  • Chemical Weapons
  • US sanctions relief
  • Asaad al-Shibani

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS