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State Department outlines conditions for engagement with Syrian interim authorities, reiterates maximum-pressure stance on Iran and blames Hamas for Gaza crisis
Summary
At an April 1 briefing the State Department said it would assess Syria's interim authorities against conditions including renunciation of terrorism and destruction of chemical weapons before changing policy; it reiterated a maximum-pressure posture toward Iran and said Hamas bears responsibility for ongoing violence in Gaza.
The State Department on April 1 responded to recent developments in Syria, Iran and Gaza, setting conditions for U.S. engagement and repeating established U.S. positions.
Syria: The department noted an announcement of an interim or transitional cabinet and said it hoped the move could be a "positive step for an inclusive and representative Syria" but listed conditions the interim authorities should meet before U.S. policy changes: fully renounce and suppress terrorism; exclude foreign terrorist fighters from official roles; prevent Iran and its proxies from exploiting Syrian territory; verifiably destroy Assad-era chemical weapons; assist in locating U.S. and other disappeared citizens; and protect Syria's religious and ethnic minorities. The department said it would base next steps on the interim authorities' actions.
Iran: The spokesperson reiterated that the administration is pursuing a "maximum pressure" campaign to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to curtail its ballistic missile program and regional activities. "The president has expressed his willingness to discuss a deal with Iran," the spokesperson said, "If the Iranian regime does not want a deal ... the president has other options."
Gaza: When asked about reports that paramedics, civil-defense workers and a U.N. staffer were killed and possible use of U.S. weapons, the spokesperson said Hamas had used civilian infrastructure to shield fighters and that "the use of civilians or civilian objects to shield or impede military operations is itself a violation of international humanitarian law." The briefing repeatedly placed primary responsibility for the crisis on Hamas and reiterated U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself.
What was not provided: The department did not announce sanctions changes, specific timelines for diplomatic action, nor new policy shifts in response to the Syrian interim authority announcement.
