Syrian FM says Damascus mulling Mecca Joint Defense pact, but rejects strengthening Iran ties

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said on Thursday that Syria, like other countries, is closely reviewing the trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, but has not yet decided whether to join the pact. 

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Speaking to journalists during an exclusive interaction in Islamabad, al-Shaibani said, “Like other countries, we have also reviewed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.”

“These are three important countries in the region. We are reviewing our options, but for now, we have not made any decision about joining it,” he said.

When asked whether Pakistan’s mediation to improve relations between Iran and Syria had been discussed during his visit, al-Shaibani ruled it out. 

However, he said, “If Iran stops what it has been doing to the Syrian people over the past 14 years, there could be a possibility of dialogue.”

“We are not currently seeking to improve relations with Tehran. If Iran changes its policy, we would have no objection,” he said.

Responding to a question about a possible visit to Iran, al-Shaibani said there were no limits to diplomacy. 
“If it benefits Syria, we will certainly go,” he added. 

Shaibani accuses Israel of expansionist ambitions

During the conversation, al-Shaibani strongly criticized Israel, saying relations had remained tense since the change of government in Syria on December 8, 2024. 

“Israel is violating the 1974 agreement. Its ambitions are expansionist and unjust,” he said.

He said the United States was playing a mediating role in efforts to ease tensions between Syria and Israel.

The Syrian foreign minister also praised Turkey’s role, saying Ankara had stood by the Syrian people for the past 14 years.

Al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night and held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials.

Following these meetings, he said Pakistan and Syria would soon work to appoint ambassadors to each other’s capitals, launch direct flights between Islamabad and Damascus, and reactivate the Joint Ministerial Commission.

He also said a meeting of the trade forum would soon be held in Damascus, but made no mention of cooperation in the defense sector.

Describing his visit to Islamabad as historic, al-Shaibani said, “We have come to expand relations with Pakistan, not to restore them.”

According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity during his meeting with al-Shaibani.

The prime minister said the resumption of direct flights between the two countries would strengthen people-to-people exchanges and facilitate the travel of Pakistani pilgrims undertaking religious visits to Syria.

Pakistani PM invites Syrian president to visit Islamabad

Shehbaz also invited Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan and said Islamabad would firmly support Syria’s position on the Golan Heights.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch were also present during the meeting.

The visit is the first by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024. Pakistan has maintained diplomatic relations with Syria throughout the political transition, with its embassy continuing to operate in Damascus.