Iranian Efforts to Form another ‘Dahieh’ in Damascus

 "Hezbollah" banners raised in Syria on May, 15, 2020 (Reuters)
"Hezbollah" banners raised in Syria on May, 15, 2020 (Reuters)
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Iranian Efforts to Form another ‘Dahieh’ in Damascus

 "Hezbollah" banners raised in Syria on May, 15, 2020 (Reuters)
"Hezbollah" banners raised in Syria on May, 15, 2020 (Reuters)

Head of the Trade Promotion Organization in Iran Alireza Paymanpak said that Iran and Syria are considering launching a joint bank to facilitate bilateral trade.

At the same time, reports pointed to Iran expanding its influence in southern Damascus with the hopes of establishing a Hezbollah stronghold similar to Lebanon's Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Paymanpak revealed that four agreements had been signed with Syria during the Iranian industry minister’s visit to Damascus. He confirmed that Syria and Iran intend to grow the trade between them.

He added that this visit and meetings with senior officials in Syria had achieved many gains that will pave the way for the development of trade between the two countries.

In 2019, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran discussed with his Syrian counterpart the issue of establishing a joint bank and facilitating the activity of businessmen.

The two sides agreed to establish a joint banking committee that includes representatives of the banks of the two countries. The committee was established to follow up on the implementation of the memorandums of understanding signed between the two central banks.

It is noteworthy that a Syrian delegation has participated in the annual conference of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), which started in the Bahraini capital, Manama, two days ago.

The Syrian delegation was headed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Muhammad Issam Hazimeh.

In a statement, the Syrian Central Bank pointed out the importance of Syrian participation in this two-day conference. It noted how Islamic banking has developed in Syria over the course of the last fourteen years.

On the other hand, reliable sources have told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that the construction of several buildings is proceeding in the Al-Bahdaliyah area in Babilla district in southern Rif Dimashq, neighboring the Sayeda Zeinab area, which is a prominent stronghold of Iranian-backed Syrian and non-Syrian militiamen, particularly of the Lebanese Hezbollah, in the suburbs of the capital, Damascus.



European Powers May Restore UN Sanctions on Iran

FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
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European Powers May Restore UN Sanctions on Iran

FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

The European troika, known as the E3, may restore UN sanctions on Iran under the snapback mechanism, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Tuesday, warning that the move could increase Tehran's suffering unless it takes a serious stance on stepping back from its nuclear program.

Speaking to the UK parliament’s foreign affairs select committee, Lammy said: “Iran faces even more pressure in the coming weeks because the E3 can snap back on our sanctions, and it’s not just our sanctions, it’s actually a UN mechanism that would impose dramatic sanctions on Iran across nearly every single front in its economy.”

“So they have a choice to make. It’s a choice for them to make. I’m very clear about the choice they should make, but I’m also clear that the UK has a decision to make that could lead to far greater pain for the Iranian regime unless they get serious about the international desire to see them step back from their nuclear ambitions,” he added.

Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source told Reuters on Tuesday that European powers would have to restore UN sanctions on Iran if there were no nuclear deal that guaranteed European security interests.

The source spoke after a call between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Lammy ahead of a Franco-British summit.

Last Thursday, France threatened “retaliatory measures” against Tehran if it persisted with new charges against a French couple held in Iran, including accusations that they spied for Israel.

Snapback Mechanism

France, Britain and Germany - the E3 – are threatening to activate the snapback mechanism that would reinstate all United Nations Security Council sanctions previously levied on Iran.

According to diplomats, the E3 countries may trigger the snapback by August if no substantial deal can be found by then. The window closes on October 18.

UN resolution 2231 allows a State Party to the agreement to address a complaint to the Security Council about significant non-performance by another JCPOA participant.

Within 30 days of receiving such a notification, the UN Security Council shall vote on a draft resolution to either maintain the termination of previous sanctions or allow them to be reimposed.

European powers are considering triggering the snapback mechanism after Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).