Iranian Embassy in Syria’s Damascus Attacked Amid Rebel Offensive

Iran’s embassy in Syria was reportedly “attacked” on Sunday, according to Iranian state television, following a significant offensive by Islamist-led rebels who have declared the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The attack occurred as the rebels advanced towards Damascus, prompting concerns over the safety of Iranian diplomats.

State TV broadcast footage from Al Arabiya, showing images of the embassy compound during the incident. Iranian newspaper Tehran Times reported that Iranian diplomats had evacuated the embassy prior to the attack, citing foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. Fortunately, all embassy staff were reported safe.

Iranian government has accused rebel forces of orchestrating the attack

The Iranian government has accused rebel forces of orchestrating the attack, although this claim has not been independently verified. As the situation unfolded, Iranian authorities remained silent on the implications of Assad’s potential fall.

In a notable shift in tone, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for negotiations between the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups on Saturday, a departure from Tehran’s previous characterization of rebel factions as “terrorists.” This statement came as the rebels intensified their offensive, although they had not yet captured Damascus.

Araghchi had visited Damascus on December 1, meeting with Assad during what would be the Syrian leader’s last public appearance alongside an Iranian official. The following day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s support for Assad in a phone call.

Assad’s last visit to Iran occurred in May 2024, shortly after the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Throughout the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, Iran has provided military support to Assad’s regime, deploying “military advisers” at his request. The conflict has seen numerous Iranian Revolutionary Guards commanders killed, both in combat and in Israeli strikes targeting Iranian-linked sites.