Avery Borens, Ria Reddy, Ben Rezaei, Carolyn Moorman, Johanna Moore, Parker Hempel, and Annika Ganzeveld

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US, Israeli, and Syrian officials met in Paris on July 24 to discuss de-escalating tensions between the Syrian transitional government and Israel in southern Syria. This meeting marks the first time that senior Israeli and Syrian officials have held direct talks since 2000. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack sought to de-escalate tensions between Syria and Israel and reach an understanding regarding security in southern Syria. Barrack posted on X on July 24 that the Israeli and Syrian officials achieved their goal of “dialogue and de-escalation" and expressed commitment to continuing talks. Israeli officials told Axios on July 24 that the meeting aimed to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and prevent a renewed crisis in southern Syria. Shaibani and Dermer’s meeting comes amid a series of deconfliction and normalization talks between Israel and Syria in recent months. Western media reported on July 9 that Syrian President Ahmed al Shara has used diplomatic channels and engaged in indirect discussions with Israel to de-escalate tensions along the Syria-Israel border.

Israel and the Syrian transitional government have not agreed on key issues regarding security in Suwayda Province despite signaling their willingness to de-escalate tensions in southern Syria. The July 18 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria, as outlined by the Syrian Interior Ministry, includes three phases that culminate in the integration of Suwaydawi institutions into the Syrian state. Israeli media reported on July 18 that Syrian government forces had 48 hours to enter Suwayda Province and restore stability under the ceasefire agreement. Syrian government forces continue to operate in Suwayda Province to enforce the ceasefire and provide basic services as defined in phases one and two of the ceasefire agreement. Israel has consistently expressed opposition to Syrian government forces operating in southern Syria. Israel unilaterally declared a demilitarized zone in February 2025 that “prohibits the introduction of forces and weapons into southern Syria” and has struck Syrian government targets in southern Syria. The Syrian government rejected Israel’s declaration of a demilitarized zone and has consistently called for Israeli forces to withdraw from Syrian territory.

Key Takeaways:

• US, Israeli, and Syrian officials met in Paris on July 24 to discuss de-escalating tensions between the Syrian transitional government and Israel in southern Syria. Israel and the Syrian transitional government have not agreed on key issues regarding security in Suwayda Province despite signaling their willingness to de-escalate tensions in southern Syria.

• Iran and the E3 (the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) reportedly discussed extending the snapback mechanism deadline during a meeting on July 25. Iran reportedly did not explicitly reject the idea of extending the deadline. The E3 is reportedly prepared to extend the snapback deadline if Iran agrees to resume talks with the United States and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

• Moderate and pragmatic elements of the Iranian regime appear to be trying to reshape Iran’s domestic and foreign policy in the post-war period. These elements have increasingly sought to influence Iranian decision-making since the start of the Israel-Iran War.

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