Tehran, Iran - December 23, 2024 Syria's sovereignty and integrity should be maintained, and its future should be decided by Syrian people without "destructive" foreign interference, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday. All countries have come to the conclusion that any insecurity in each regional state could affect the other ones, said Baghaei at a press conference. At the press conference, Baghaei also condemned the United States for its prolonged military presence in Syria. In addition, he also said that Iran has no direct link with the ruling group in Syria. A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov. 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days. Shotlist: Tehran, Iran - Dec 23, 2024: 1. Various of press conference in progress, cameramen; 2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman, Iran's Foreign Ministry (partially overlaid with shot 3): "Iran's position on Syria is very clear: safeguarding Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and allowing Syrians to determine the future of their country without foreign intervention. It is important that Syria should not turn into a safe haven and a place for the growth of terrorism."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 3. Press conference in progress; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of press conference in progress; FILE: Iran - March 2024 5. Various of Iranian national flags, traffic; FILE: Iran - March 2024 6. Various of Iranian national flags, traffic; 7. Various of Azadi Tower; Damascus, Syria - Dec 8, 2024 8. Various of footage showing Syrian militant groups entering Damascus, pedestrians, traffic; Damascus, Syria - Dec 6, 2024 9. Aerial shots of cityscape. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]