Why it matters:
Tehran warned that the latest move by Israeli leaders is part of a long-standing pattern of violations—air strikes, ground incursions, and occupation of southern Syria—that could plunge the region into deeper instability.
The big picture:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials, including the foreign and war ministers, entered Syrian territory beyond the 1974 disengagement line.
The visit was followed by intensified Israeli air operations over Syria, with Syrian media reporting that eight Israeli warplanes flew over Quneitra, Jabal al-Sheikh, the western outskirts of Damascus, as well as Homs and Hama.
Iran and Qatar say the move represents a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and international law.
What they’re saying:
Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman:
“This criminal trespassing, following repeated aerial and ground attacks on Syria and the occupation of large areas in the south, constitutes a provocative attempt to expand the scope of Israeli occupation.”
“We warn of the consequences of ongoing warmongering and expansionism by the Zionist regime for regional peace and security.”
“The international community and the UN Security Council bear full responsibility to compel the occupying regime to withdraw from all occupied territories in the Golan and southern Syria.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry:
“Qatar strongly condemns the entry of the Israeli prime minister and officials into Syrian territory. It is a clear violation of Syria’s sovereignty, a breach of international law, and a dangerous threat to regional security.”
The ministry urged the international community to act immediately to force Israel to comply with international resolutions, including the 1974 ceasefire agreement, and to halt its repeated attacks on Syria.
Qatar reiterated its “full support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the security and stability of its people.”
Go deeper:
The Israeli regime has maintained an occupation of the Golan Heights since 1967, in defiance of international law and UN resolutions.
Iran argues that Western silence over Israeli aggressions has emboldened the regime to escalate its violations across Syria.
Mojtaba Darabi - ahmad shirzadian
