When Bashar Assad lost control of the oil-rich areas in eastern Syria, most of which came under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces, he turned to Iran for oil and its derivatives to enable his forces to continue fighting and to maintain services in the areas under his rule.

I have previously questioned the depth of Tehran’s relationship with Bashar Assad, as he considered it his pillar of support. It saved him in 2014 but failed 10 years later.

Everyone is searching for clues about the possible foreign policy of the new Damascus regime, especially concerning Iran. If it turns out to be against Tehran, this would be a significant development and could potentially change the face of the region.

Syria has witnessed two major events: the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime and the rise of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham to power.

After the celebrations end and the last statues of the Assads are toppled, Syrians will face a new and uncertain day. Who will govern them? Will it be a single individual or a committee? Or will there be more than one Syria — three or four perhaps?

An Israeli soldier, part of a force that infiltrated across the border, last week stirred controversy by planting his country’s flag on a hill in the Lebanese town of Maroun Al-Ras — despite Israel’s presence in Beirut’s skies having persisted for weeks.