Israel has captured the buffer zone with Syria after rebel forces infiltrated and tried to capture a UN peacekeeping post as fears for border security remain high for the Jewish state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had ordered the Israeli military to "seize" the demilitarized zone that lies between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, saying the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria “has collapsed”.
”We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,” the Israeli prime minister said after referring to the ousting of Iran-allied Bashar al-Assad as a “historic day”.
The Israeli military announced the deployment of troops on Sunday morning, adding that the Israeli military is “not interfering with the internal events in Syria”, while the area is a key point to keep the country secure.
The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has been in place for over 50 years to monitor the 80km (50-mile) long strip of land 24 hours a day.
Since the October 7 Hamas attacks last year, the issue of cross-border incursions has become an ever-looming threat to Israel, which is on a state of high alert. Several areas around along the border were declared closed military zones on Sunday.
In a clear message to Syria, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sar released a statement Saturday night saying: “Over the past 24 hours, armed forces have entered the buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border with Israel. Among other actions, attacks were carried out against UNDOF forces in the area.
“Israel is concerned about violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, which also pose a threat to its security, the safety of its communities, and its citizens, particularly in the Golan Heights region. The State of Israel does not intervene in the internal conflict in Syria.”
According to Israel’s Mako, however, the Israeli military has resumed Operation Good Neighbor, a project set up in 2016 which saw both civilians and rebel militia such as Al Nusra Front treated in Israel’s field hospital near the border in a bid to maintain peace. Since then there have been more than 110 such operations carried out.
“The IDF provided aid to Syrians on the other side of the border for two primary reasons. Firstly, we have a moral imperative. We can’t stand by watching a severe humanitarian crisis without helping the innocent people stuck in the middle of the conflict. We also believe that the aid will ultimately create a less hostile environment across the border and that will lead to improved Israeli security,” a statement said.
Around 200,000 residents of the Hauran region of southwestern Syria were part of the program, including roughly 400 families living in tents near the Israel-Syria border. Others lived in villages or out in the open. Half of those receiving aid were children.
Over 4,000 people have so far been brought to Israel to receive treatment, including hundreds of children with further transfers of medicine, supplies, and equipment being sent across the border.
In addition to medical aid, the project has seen over 450,000 liters of fuel transferred for heating, operating water wells, and ovens in bakeries. A further seven generators, water pipes to rebuild Syrian infrastructure, and equipment for a temporary school in the region were transferred.
The Israeli military said it had also transferred 40 tons of flour to bakeries, 225 tons of food, 12,000 packages of baby formula, 1,800 packages of diapers, 12 tons of shoes, and 55 tons of cold weather clothing.
Six successive prime ministers in Israel have tried to broker a peace deal with Syria but as yet, it has remained elusive, Israel’s archenemy Iran deeply entrenched with the ruling Assad government.
"The determination of Syria’s future and decisions about its destiny must remain in the hands of the Syrian people, without any destructive interference or external imposition," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Iran, which was a key ally of Bashar al-Assad, has provided military, financial, and political support to maintain the former Syrian president's grip on power since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. Iran’s backing included sending weapons, financial assistance, military advisors, and elite forces like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as allied militias.
In addition to urging a halt to conflicts, Iran’s statement, which followed the news of Assad fleeing the country, called for the safety of all Syrian citizens, the preservation of religious sites, and the protection of diplomatic and consular missions in accordance with international law.
"Tehran would continue its consultations with key regional stakeholders to promote security and stability in the country," it added.
"The long-standing and friendly relations between the peoples of Iran and Syria are expected to continue with a wise and forward-looking approach, based on shared interests and the fulfillment of international legal commitments," the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Nadri, a member of Iran’s parliament, suggested that the country shift its strategic focus following Assad’s downfall.
He proposed that Iran prioritize nuclear testing and reinvigorate the so-called resistance front, which he views as crucial for Iran’s regional influence post-Syria crisis.
Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Expediency Council and an IRGC former commander wrote on his X account: "The fate of Syria must be determined by its people. The exploitation of foreign actors will result in nothing but the repetition of the Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq models."
Iran, along with Russia, have tightened their grip on Russia in recent years, both having large swathes of military infrastructure across the country.
Images published by Al Arabiya show Syrians storming the Iranian embassy Sunday, breaking windows, and damaging furniture, in a sign that Tehran's influence is no longer welcome.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed to Tehran Times that diplomats and staff had evacuated the embassy before armed forces arrived. Esmail Baghaei said that all personnel were now safe and in good health.
State-affiliated Iranian media have also softened their language in response to Assad’s fall. Before the collapse, opposition forces were regularly referred to as "terrorists" or "takfiris," but now they are being described as "armed opposition groups" or "militias," reflecting a shift in Iran’s public messaging.
Fars News, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported on the reasons behind the fall of Assad's government, saying that “the Syrian president did not pay enough attention to Iran’s advice regarding democracy and popular defense."
"The lack of popular support for the government, due to the dire economic situation, the weakening of the army, and corruption, along with the Syrian government's reliance on promises from foreign powers in exchange for abandoning resistance, are among the key mistakes," the government aligned publication wrote on Sunday.
Nadergholi Ebrahimi, a representative from Arak, and Hamid Rasaee, a representative from Tehran, have called for a closed session of parliament to discuss the situation as Tehran faces losing a key stronghold, the route key between Iran and the Mediterranean.
“The parliament needs updated, accurate, and clear information about the situation in light of the current regional circumstances,” Rasaee said.
Political analyst Rouhollah Rahimpour told Iran International that there appears to be no comprehensive or systematic analysis of the situation in Syria within Iran’s media.
“Some media outlets consider this a victory for Israel, while others view it as an internal Syrian matter,” he noted.
According to Rahimpour, Iran's internal calculations regarding Syria have been so disrupted by the recent developments that the government is struggling to form a clear stance on its position.
Costs of supporting Assad
The Islamic Republic’s support for Assad has come at a high cost. Human losses include over 2,100 Iranian forces killed in Syria, referred to as “Defenders of the Shrine,” and an estimated 7,308 Iranian casualties overall since 2011 when the crackdown on anti-Assad demonstrations turned into a civil war.
Financially, the cost of intervention is staggering. Former Iranian parliament members Heshamatollah Falahatpisheh and Bahram Parsaei have separately stated that Iran spent at least $30 billion in Syria, a figure that dwarfs other regional expenditures. This amount equals nearly 140 months of cash subsidies for Iran’s entire population, further fueling domestic frustration over the government’s priorities. However, a government document hacked last year revealed that Syria owes Iran $ 50 billion.
In addition to free oil supplies and loans to Assad's government, the Islamic Republic spent untold billions on its military involvement.
Internationally, Assad’s fall is seen as a significant blow to Tehran. A US official told CNN that the events in Syria mark the collapse of Iran’s broader strategy in the region. President-elect Donald Trump weighed in, suggesting that Assad fled after losing Russian support, framing both Russia and Iran as weakened powers.
The Israeli military announced a deployment in the UN-monitored buffer zone with Syria, emphasizing a defensive posture without direct involvement in Syrian affairs. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for a new Syria that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
Since 2013, Iran’s presence in Syria has been justified by officials as a mission to protect Shia holy sites from Takfiri groups. However, evidence shows Tehran’s true aim was to bolster Assad’s government, a key ally.
IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency admitted in 2020 that the Quds Force had been instrumental in training Syrian forces to suppress opposition, leveraging tactics used during Iran’s own protests.
The Islamic Republic’s involvement also included the recruitment of foreign fighters, such as the Fatemiyoun Division (Afghans) and Zainabiyoun Brigade (Pakistanis).
With Assad’s government now toppled, the Islamic Republic’s decades-long gamble in Syria appears increasingly costly, both financially and politically, as questions mount about its influence in the region and its ability to sustain its ambitions.
The protests, which ranged from demands for overdue payments and benefits to objections over steep tuition hikes, highlighted the growing discontent among various sectors of society.
On Saturday, hundreds of retired teachers gathered outside Iran’s Parliament in Tehran to demand the payment of their long-delayed entitlements.
Protesters, primarily those who retired in 2021, held 100,000-rial banknotes as a symbolic gesture of national currency's devaluation, chanting slogans such as, “Shout, shout / Against all this injustice.”
Iran's currency has lost 99.99% of its value since 1979, the year the Islamic Republic was established. In 1978, 100,000 rials was valued at $1,428; today, it is worth only 14 cents.
The demonstrators also directed their dissatisfaction toward Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, shouting, “Ghalibaf, have some shame / fulfill our rights.”
The Free Union of Iranian Workers estimated that around 1,000 teachers from provinces including Tehran, Alborz, and Qom participated in the rally.
Protesters condemned the government for failing to fully implement the job classification law, which mandates that retired teachers receive pensions equal to 90% of the salaries of active educators. They also criticized delays in payments, noting that similar demonstrations on November 20 had resulted in no tangible progress.
Students protest steep tuition hikes
Simultaneously, medical students from Azad University marched in protest against tuition hikes during a visit by Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i to the university’s Science and Research campus.
Holding banners students expressed outrage at what they termed astronomical fee increases.
Students from medical, dental, and pharmacy programs have been protesting since October 13 against an almost 200% hike in tuition fees. Despite repeated demonstrations at locations including Parliament and the Ministry of Science, students say that officials have failed to address their grievances.
Azad University President Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi has defended the tuition increases, describing them as natural for a self-financed institution. However, students argue that such hikes ignore their financial realities.
Professors fight for reinstatement
Adding to the wave of protests, 20 dismissed or suspended university professors wrote an open letter to President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, accusing the government of failing to reinstate them despite prior assurances. The professors said they were removed from their posts for defending academic freedom, not violating any law as government officials have suggested.
In recent years, Iran has witnessed a significant number of university professors being dismissed from their positions. This trend intensified following the nationwide protests in September 2022. Most of the dismissed academics had expressed support for the protests or were regarded as government critics.
Among the signatories were academics from institutions such as Beheshti University in Tehran, Isfahan University, and Shiraz University. The professors called on the government to release a list of reinstated academics, challenging Pezeshkian’s recent claim that many had returned to their posts.
Negar Zeilabi, a history professor at Beheshti University, shared on social media that despite court rulings in her favor, university officials have refused to reinstate her due to external pressure, referring to security agencies. She described the inaction as emblematic of broader failures to uphold justice for academics.
The protests reflect deeper dissatisfaction with systemic mismanagement and unfulfilled commitments across various sectors. Retired teachers face financial insecurity, students are burdened by rising costs, and professors contend with institutional inertia and political interference.
The Deputy Coordinator for Urban Affairs of Tehran Province announced Saturday that kindergartens, preschools, and special education institutions would remain closed on Sunday, with elementary school classes shifting online for the day.
“Given the ongoing air pollution, educational activities...will be suspended,” the official said, adding that such actions aim to reduce exposure to the harmful effects of polluted air. Additionally, government offices may face closures or reduced working hours if air quality deteriorates further, pending approval from the Ministry of Interior.
Traffic restrictions are being tightened to curb pollution. Firooz Kashir, Social Deputy of Tehran's Traffic Police, announced a 48-hour ban on diesel trucks in the capital.
He also added that targeting vehicles operating without technical inspections remains a police priority.
Football matches across Tehran Province, including youth and adult categories, were canceled for Sunday to protect players and coaches. Authorities cited the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular harm caused by the capital’s hazardous air quality as the primary reason for the cancellations.
The Health and Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Health reported in January that 14% of natural deaths in Iran are linked to air pollution. The use of mazut, a low-grade fuel oil commonly burned in power plants and industries, significantly worsens the crisis. High levels of particulate matter released from mazut combustion exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, placing further strain on public health systems.
Air pollution in Iran stems from systemic neglect and mismanagement of the electric grid and natural gas production that necessitate burning highly pollutant fuels. Tehran, in particular, faces pollution challenges due to overpopulation, poor urban planning, and outdated infrastructure.
Aging vehicles, insufficient public transportation, and weak enforcement of vehicle inspection laws contribute heavily to the crisis. Industrial reliance on low-quality fossil fuels further compounds the problem, as does the government’s inability to modernize systems or invest in cleaner technologies.
While officials often blame citizens for overusing private vehicles, analysts point to government policies as the root cause. Subsidized energy prices encourage overconsumption, and industrial practices remain outdated and poorly regulated. Urban sprawl and deforestation exacerbate dust storms, further degrading air quality. By shifting blame to the public, the government diverts attention from its failure to implement effective policies or enforce environmental regulations.
As Tehran continues to grapple with hazardous air pollution, short-term measures like school closures and vehicle restrictions provide only temporary relief. Without a strategic shift toward sustainable practices and modernized infrastructure, Tehran's residents are likely to face recurring health and environmental challenges.
Addressing students at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology on Saturday, Pezeshkian warned of a challenging winter ahead unless energy consumption is curtailed.
“We are facing serious challenges today,” Pezeshkian said, comparing the nation’s difficulties to a patient requiring an accurate diagnosis for effective treatment. He called for collective action to tackle Iran’s resource crisis, lamenting, “Whenever we try to make changes, people oppose it. Where should we begin?”
His remarks follow growing outrage over the government’s decision to allocate tens of millions of dollars in aid to mostly Shia Lebanese families affected by war.
The public discontent intensified after Hezbollah’s leader, Naeem Qassem, revealed last week that Iran funded most of a $77 million aid package to support nearly a quarter of a million families in Lebanon. In a televised address, Qassem expressed gratitude, stating, “We thank the Islamic Republic of Iran...for providing this generous support.”
Public reaction to foreign aid
People voiced their anger anonymously through messages sent to Iran International, warning of popular backlash.
“Mr. Pezeshkian, you say there’s no money and prices go up every day, so where does the money you send to Lebanon come from?” one viewer asked.
Another citizen criticized the government, saying, “The corrupt Islamic Republic regime fulfills the demands of all countries except the needs of its own people.”
A user on X from Iran also echoed these sentiments: “They spend the people’s money on Hezbollah instead of addressing the needs of impoverished Iranians or preserving Iran’s environment. For the clerics, the lack of heating for children in schools is not a concern. The absence of drinking water for citizens does not matter, but Hezbollah remains their priority.”
Economic woes deepen as winter nears
Iran’s looming energy crisis is compounded by an annual subsidy burden of tens of billions of dollars, according to Pezeshkian. “If we cannot control gas and energy consumption, we won’t be able to supply households with gas this winter,” he cautioned.
Gasoline imports also remain a key financial strain. In a televised address on Monday, Pezeshkian warned that without parliamentary action to allocate foreign currency for imports, gasoline prices would inevitably rise, potentially worsening inflation and fueling public dissatisfaction. He described this challenge as part of a broader energy shortage that urgently requires resolution.
Some commentators in Iranian media warn that raising gasoline prices or cutting subsidies could reignite unrest similar to the protests in 2019 following fuel price hikes. Within parliament, divisions persist, with some lawmakers cautioning that such measures could destabilize an already fragile political climate.
As winter approaches, Pezeshkian’s call for reforms underscores the tough decisions Iran must face; however, people continue to question why, despite claims of shortages and insufficient funds, substantial aid is still sent to Iran’s proxy groups in the region.