Iranians and Israelis banned from Syria under new leadership

Syria imposes travel restrictions on Israelis and Iranians following change in leadership.

Travelers queue for passport checks before boarding their flights at Damascus International Airport on January 7, 2025. Photo by Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images

By Alana Salsabila and Clarisa Sendy

Travel restrictions have been imposed on Iranians and Israelis, prohibiting them from flying to Syria after the country saw a leadership change in the aftermath of the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. This development comes shortly after international flights resumed at Syria’s main airport in Damascus on January 7, following a nearly month-long halt after Islamist-led rebels ousted Assad during a swift offensive in December.

Syria’s new leadership has implemented these measures as part of its efforts to maintain control and assert authority after Assad’s regime was toppled. A source at Damascus airport, who spoke anonymously due to a lack of authorization to brief the media, revealed that airport officials have instructed airlines to refuse boarding to both Iranian and Israeli nationals. This order marks a significant shift in travel policy, especially given Syria's complex geopolitical relationships.

Since the January 7 reopening of Damascus International Airport, only a few airlines have resumed or announced plans to begin flights to Syria. Among the first international carriers to reestablish flights was Qatar Airways, which resumed services shortly after the airport's reopening. However, in line with the new instructions from Syria’s interim authorities, a source from a travel company in Damascus revealed that Qatar Airways has informed them it is not possible to book flights for Iranian passengers at this time.

The source, who also requested anonymity, explained that although the airline had relayed this information, the Ministry of Transport had not issued any official statement or instruction regarding the travel restrictions for Iranians.

Despite the resumption of flights, the new leadership in Syria has introduced a policy that forbids Israeli nationals from traveling to the country, consistent with the long-standing state of hostilities between Syria and Israel. The two nations have been technically at war for decades, and Israel and Syria have never had diplomatic relations. Israeli nationals have long been unable to enter Syria, and this policy remains in place even after Assad’s ouster.

Iran has long been a staunch ally of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, providing military and financial support throughout the Syrian Civil War. However, with Assad's departure from power, relations between Syria and Iran have entered a new phase, with the two nations' future diplomatic ties uncertain.

Although Iran’s support was crucial in propping up Assad’s government, the change in leadership has led to tensions and confusion regarding the status of Iranian nationals' ability to enter Syria. While the new restrictions clearly bar Israeli nationals, the situation for Iranians is slightly more complex. Some airlines, including Qatar Airways, have complied with the measure by halting Iranian bookings, but others have not received formal instructions from Syria's interim authorities.

Other international airlines have adapted their operations to align with Syria's new rules. Turkish Airlines, which had suspended flights to Syria for over a decade, announced it would resume services to Damascus starting January 23. The airline's official statement noted that in accordance with decisions made by Syria’s authorities, certain rules would be applied to passengers entering the country.

The Turkish carrier clarified that while nationals from most countries are allowed entry, Israeli citizens are explicitly excluded from entering Syria. In contrast, Iranians will only be permitted to enter Syria if they have prior authorization. This nuance in the travel policy suggests that while Iranians are not outright banned from entering, they must obtain special permission, a measure that further complicates the diplomatic landscape following Assad's removal.

The ban on Israeli and Iranian nationals traveling to Syria reflects the deepening complexities in the region after Assad’s overthrow. With the changing of leadership in Syria, the geopolitical balance in the Middle East remains in flux, and decisions like this travel restriction may signify a shift toward tightening national security and forging new alliances.

For many analysts, these travel restrictions underscore Syria’s careful recalibration of its foreign policy in the wake of Assad’s ouster. The country’s interim leadership is likely trying to assert its authority while navigating the complicated web of regional alliances, with Israel and Iran at the heart of this political transformation.

As Syria’s new leadership begins to solidify its position on the international stage, the implications of these travel bans could extend beyond the aviation sector, influencing diplomatic relations between Syria, Iran, Israel, and the wider region.

In the coming months, how these restrictions evolve will be crucial in understanding the shifting dynamics in Syria and the broader Middle East. The situation remains fluid, and additional measures could be enacted depending on the political and security developments in Syria and the surrounding countries.

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