In a surprising development, long-time Syrian diplomat and former Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa has reportedly indicated that Syria would be willing to join the Abraham Accords under certain conditions.

The revelation came during a confidential meeting with an American representative, signaling a potential shift in Syria’s historically firm stance against normalization with Israel.

The Abraham Accords, initially brokered in 2020 by the United States, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

Syria, a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian cause and a nation technically still at war with Israel, had long been seen as an unlikely candidate for such agreements.

According to diplomatic sources, Sharaa emphasized that Syria’s openness is conditional.

Damascus would expect significant concessions, particularly concerning Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights — a strategically crucial region that Israel captured from Syria in 1967 during the Six-Day War and later annexed in 1981, a move not internationally recognized.

“Syria’s position is not ideological but rooted in national rights,” Sharaa reportedly told the U.S. envoy.

He added that any move toward normalization would need to include a framework for the return of Syrian territories and assurances for Palestinian statehood.

The former vice president also pointed to the growing regional realignment and economic challenges as incentives for Damascus to reassess its diplomatic posture.

This development could have profound implications for Middle Eastern geopolitics. Syria remains closely allied with Iran, a fierce opponent of the Abraham Accords.

Observers caution that any Syrian move toward normalization would need to navigate complex regional alliances, internal political realities, and the demands of powerful backers such as Tehran and Moscow.

U.S. officials have reacted cautiously, viewing Sharaa’s comments as an opening but not a definitive policy shift.

One senior U.S. official familiar with the conversation said, “There is interest, but we are still a long way from concrete negotiations.”

Israel, for its part, has long maintained that peace with Syria is possible but contingent on strict security guarantees and recognition of Israel’s sovereignty. Israeli officials have not yet publicly responded to the latest reports.

As the Middle East continues to reshape itself through new diplomatic efforts and regional realignments, the possibility of Syrian participation in the Abraham Accords, while still remote, adds a new layer of complexity to an already dynamic environment.