Israel targets Iranian tunnels in Syria as talks exclude Tehran

Israel has conducted a series of airstrikes targeting weapons storage and infrastructure in Syria, while Iran was left out of international talks on the country's political future.

Jordan-based Al-Ghad TV reported that Israeli fighter jets carried out 17 airstrikes on Friday night and early Saturday, focusing on areas near Damascus.

These strikes hit ballistic Scud missile warehouses, rocket launchers, and the Nasiriyah military airport in the Qalamoun region, according to the report.

According to the Al-Ghad TV report, the Israeli strikes on the outskirts of Damascus targeted strategic military assets linked to Iran's regional influence. These included weapons tunnels, which reportedly housed advanced missile systems.

Israel has not commented on the strikes, adhering to its usual policy of ambiguity regarding military operations in Syria. However, Israeli officials have previously emphasized that such actions aim to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah and other Iran-backed forces.

Meanwhile, top diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union, and several Arab nations convened on Saturday to discuss Syria's future. Iran and Russia were notably absent from the talks hosted in Aqaba. Participants included US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, and foreign ministers from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar.

The discussions centered on guiding Syria toward a political transition following the recent ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Arab diplomats issued a statement advocating for a peaceful and inclusive transition, new constitutional frameworks, and elections while reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism.

Turkey, which has supported Syrian opposition forces for years, is expected to play a significant role in shaping Syria’s future government. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Friday that Turkey’s embassy in Damascus would reopen, signaling a shift in Turkey’s approach as it seeks to consolidate influence in Syria.

While the United States shares some interests with Turkey, conflicting priorities remain, particularly regarding the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF, a Kurdish-led coalition that has been instrumental in fighting ISIS, is viewed by Ankara as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkish-backed rebels have clashed with the SDF in northern Syria, complicating the geopolitical landscape.

The exclusion of Iran from the talks reflects its diminished influence in post-Assad era as regional and global powers align to shape Syria's political transition. Iran’s billions of dollars spent in Syria, including the construction of military infrastructure and weapons depots, face increasing threats from Israeli airstrikes and the shifting diplomatic focus of key players like Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

As the international community moves forward with plans for Syria's political transition, Iran's marginalization in the process underscores a growing consensus among its rivals to curb Tehran's regional ambitions.