Syria Says Security Talks With Israel Expected to Resume Despite Deep Distrust

Syria expects negotiations with Israel over a security deal to resume soon, according to Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani, who urged Israel to seize what he called a “historic opportunity” for diplomacy despite ongoing tensions.

Talks Frozen Since Israeli Airstrike

Speaking to Reuters in Damascus, Shaibani said discussions had stalled since the start of the Iran war and contact was further disrupted after Israel bombed a Syrian airbase this week. He said Syria remains open to renewed contact but stressed that trust in Israel currently does not exist, adding that continued engagement depends on whether it produces real results.

Washington Pushing for Renewed Dialogue

The United States has spent over a year attempting to broker a security agreement between Israel and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government. Shaibani said the US continues pressuring Israel to return to talks, though no specific date has been set for their resumption.

Deal Framework Nearly Finalized Earlier This Year

According to Shaibani, both sides had agreed “on paper to almost everything” earlier in the year, including plans for security zones near the border, one exclusively for UN presence, in exchange for Israel halting attacks and withdrawing from territory seized after Bashar al-Assad’s fall. He accused Israel of avoiding implementation, saying Damascus saw no genuine willingness to finalize the agreement.

Golan Heights Remains a Longer-Term Issue

Shaibani said Syria’s immediate priority is stopping Israeli strikes before addressing broader peace talks or the status of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized in 1967. He also noted no agreement has yet been reached on a US proposed mechanism intended to prevent conflict among Israel, Turkey, and Syria.