Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has formally expressed Damascus's willingness to collaborate with the United States to restore the 1974 UN-brokered disengagement agreement with Israel, which established an 80-km buffer zone in the Golan Heights. This development followed a July 4 phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who confirmed President Donald Trump's directive to lift sanctions on Syria, including the Caesar Act and work with Congress toward full repeal "in the coming months". The call culminated in an official invitation for Shaibani to visit Washington, signaling a "tangible shift" in bilateral relations after years of estrangement.
The push to revive the 1974 accord comes amid persistent Israeli military encroachments into the UN-patrolled zone since December 2024, actions deemed violations by UN peacekeeping officials. Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in southern Syria and deployed troops deeper into Syrian territory, exploiting the power vacuum following Bashar al-Assad's ouster. While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed interest in normalization, he simultaneously insisted the annexed Golan Heights would "remain part of Israel" under any deal, a stance Syria called "premature" given ongoing occupations.
During discussions, Damascus voiced measured concern about Iran's regional activities, particularly after U.S.-Israeli strikes degraded Tehran’s nuclear facilities in June. Shaibani said without evidence that despite "current preoccupations," Iran would continue seeking to "alter the balance of power" in Syria. The Syrian transitional government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa appears focused on leveraging U.S. engagement to selectively curb external interference, mostly Iranian, in favor of making peace with Israel and enjoy U.S. support.
The dialogue extended beyond the Golan issue, with both nations agreed to establish a joint committee on chemical weapons to address lingering allegations and build trust, enhance counterterrorism coordination against ISIS, which remains an active threat as evidenced by a June suicide bombing in Damascus that killed 26 Christians, and facilitate Syria’s participation in the upcoming UN General Assembly, where Interim President Sharaa aims to showcase Syria’s post-Assad reforms, including its new national emblem symbolizing "unity and civic governance".
U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack confirmed "meaningful" backchannel talks between Syria and Israel, framing them as essential for stabilizing the region. For Iran, Syria’s diplomatic overture represents a pragmatic recalibration rather than abandonment. Iran had lost a critical ally with the fall of Assad, with remaining militias described as "small and largely irrelevant" by security analysts. With Iran focused on post-strike recovery and nuclear recalibration, including halting IAEA cooperation its capacity to project power in Syria remains constrained.
The 1974 agreement’s restoration could curb Israeli incursions and create a framework for broader Syrian-Israeli de-escalation. However, success hinges on Israel withdrawing from the buffer zone and halting settlement expansions. As Syria rebuilds its governance structures, U.S. sanctions relief and diplomatic support will be critical for reconstruction, and Syria may just opt for an option that trades Iranian influence with Israeli dominance over the country.