Iran "May Syria Decide Future Destiny Without External Interference"

Iran, which has supported Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime, says it should be entirely the people's responsibility to decide the future and fate of Syria after the rebels declared victory.

"Iran reaffirms its principled position that it respects Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the recent developments," Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"National dialogue must begin, including all classes of Syria, to stop military conflict immediately, prevent terrorism and establish an inclusive governance structure that will represent all Syrians," he said.

Iran's foreign ministry also said it continues to support U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, which urged all parties to stop using weapons and start negotiations on a cease-fire over the Syrian political process.

"We will closely monitor the situation in Syria and the region and take appropriate approaches if necessary," he added.

Iran and its proxy forces, Lebanon's Hezbollah, have supported the Syrian regime during the civil war.

However, the conflict with Israel for Hamas in the Gaza war, which began in October last year, led to the collapse of the Assad regime as it failed to respond effectively to the Syrian opposition's offensive.