London: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated on Tuesday that Damascus is actively working to keep Syria out of the ongoing regional war, despite warnings that the nation could still become a target amidst escalating tensions. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Sharaa addressed the potential risks facing Syria, emphasizing a strategy of non-escalation.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a response to a question posed by an Anadolu correspondent about the possibility of Syria being directly targeted following Israeli strikes on Iran, Sharaa clarified that Syria has not maintained official relations with Tehran since the onset of the conflict involving the US and Israel. He acknowledged the potential threats but reiterated Syria's intent to avoid hostility and remain distant from active conflict zones.

Sharaa expressed concerns over the current regional climate, describing it as driven by heightened emotions and unpredictable decision-making. He highlighted the charged atmosphere filled with anger, reactions, and random policies, which he indicated are influencing multiple countries, including Gulf states previously uninvolved in the conflict but now under threat.

The Syrian president stressed that Syria is committed to choosing the safest path for its citizens, carefully evaluating its decisions to avoid being dragged into the conflict. He underscored the importance of not reaching a point where Syria would be forced to respond to aggression.

The ongoing conflict sees the US and Israel maintaining an air offensive on Iran since February 28, resulting in over 1,340 fatalities, including the death of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military assets, leading to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions in global markets and aviation.