Syria confirms US-mediated talks with Israel in Jordan to ease tensions

Syria confirms US-mediated talks with Israel in Jordan to ease tensions Syria's state news agency SANA confirmed that Syria and Israel held high-level, US-mediated talks in Jordan on Sunday aimed at easing tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase, citing a diplomatic source at the foreign ministry. The talks also addressed keeping Syria out of Israel-Turkey tensions, AFP reported. The meeting, the first negotiations between the two countries in several months, was held between Syrian delegation led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and an Israeli delegation that included Mossad chief Roman Gofman. The two sides discussed issues including the establishment of a "special operations room" in Jordan under US supervision to prevent any confrontation in Syria, including one involving Turkey, a diplomatic source and a Syrian government source told AFP. During the talks, the Syrian delegation reaffirmed that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian territory, saying discussion of their final status is premature, according to SANA. Damascus added that its immediate priority is the withdrawal of Israeli troops to the pre-December 8, 2024 lines and full implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement.