Al-Sharaa says Syria to stay out of war on Iran unless attacked

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's leader, said his country will not join the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran unless Syria itself is attacked. Al-Sharaa cited Syria's exhaustion after 14 years of civil war, signaling a desire to keep the nation out of regional conflicts. The statement reflects Syria's precarious position as it rebuilds following the recent collapse of the Assad regime and the rise of new leadership. Syria's neutrality stance could affect the broader U.S.-Israeli strategy in the Middle East, particularly given Syria's geographic proximity to both Israel and Iran-aligned forces. Al-Sharaa's position suggests the new Syrian government is prioritizing domestic recovery over alignment with either the U.S.-Israeli axis or Iranian interests in the region.