Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said discussions over a security agreement with Israel are currently suspended, with no date set for their resumption. Speaking to Reuters on August 23, 2026, he said Syria does not trust Israel at this time. He said communication between the two countries stopped after Israel struck Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase earlier in the week.

Al-Shaibani said Damascus hopes talks with Israel will resume soon. He said the United States has continued pressuring Israel to return to the negotiating table. According to the minister, Washington has been applying sustained pressure on Israel to bring it back into discussions.

The Syrian foreign minister also criticized Israel’s military approach to ensuring its security. He said Israel had tried to maintain its security through the use of force but had not succeeded. In contrast, he said Syria has extended its hand for understanding, peace and diplomacy.