Cairo, 25 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Syria faces an uncertain future after the recent ousting of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad.

"It is still too early to judge Syria's future, as many factors could still significantly influence the political situation there," Araghchi said, according to the Iranian news agency ISNA.

Those "who currently feel like sure winners" should therefore not rejoice too soon, he said.

Araghchi's comments come after Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani rebuffed similar warnings made by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Speaking at a religious ceremony in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, Khamenei said he anticipates a renewed resistance struggle by Syrians against the country's new leadership.

Al-Shibani on Wednesday warned Iran against spreading chaos in his country.

"Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and the sovereignty and safety of the country," al-Shibani wrote on X late Tuesday.

"We warn them against spreading chaos in Syria and also hold them responsible for the consequences of the recent statements," he added.

The fall of al-Assad dealt a severe blow to Iran. Al-Assad was considered a strategically important player in Iran's self-proclaimed "Axis of Resistance" against its arch-enemy Israel. Syria also served as a corridor for Iranian arms deliveries to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

Iran was one of al-Assad's main allies and provided his regime with generous financial and military support throughout the civil war.

Al-Assad fled to Russia earlier this month after rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a rapid offensive, making major territorial gains before capturing Damascus.

Al-Shibani is part of the rebel-led newly appointed transitional government.

MIA file photo