On Thursday, May 15, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. government's support for a new Syrian government aimed at peace with Israel. This announcement follows increased diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Syria.
Rubio met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Turkey, marking the first high-level diplomatic engagement between Washington and Damascus in 15 years. According to a State Department readout, Rubio “welcomed the Syrian government's calls for peace with Israel, efforts to end Iran's influence in Syria, commitment to ascertaining the fate of U.S. citizens missing or killed in Syria, and elimination of all chemical weapons”. He also emphasized the importance of protecting human rights for all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
The meeting coincided with a trilateral discussion involving Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, reflecting Ankara's role in facilitating dialogue between the U.S. and the new regime in Syria. In parallel, Israel is reportedly conducting secret talks with the new Syrian regime, mediated by the United Arab Emirates.