Iran Excluded From Secret Syria-Hezbollah Talks

Iran was not included in secret negotiations between the new Syrian leadership and Hezbollah, Reuters reported, citing multiple sources. The meeting, which took place in Turkey in September, was attended by representatives from Syrian intelligence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Hezbollah. Turkish security and intelligence services reportedly facilitated the talks.

A Lebanese source close to Hezbollah stated that Tehran was aware of the meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with its exclusion. This exclusion is significant as Hezbollah has long been a key tool for Iran in the Middle East, and Syria under Bashar al-Assad served as a crucial land corridor for supporting the organization.

According to Reuters sources, the discussions in Turkey focused on security matters. Syria reportedly demanded that Hezbollah cease arms smuggling through its territory, dismantle clandestine cells within Syria, and refrain from interfering in Syrian internal affairs. The Syrian side also assured Hezbollah that it had no intention of launching a military operation in Lebanon for forced disarmament.

While some progress was made, a final agreement was not reached. Both Damascus and Ankara have denied the meeting took place. Turkey's intelligence agency stated that reports of the meeting under its auspices were unfounded, and the Syrian government called the information false.