A former conservative lawmaker said that the US has placed a condition on Syria’s new leaders to sever ties with Iran.

"The US has set the condition that they must sever ties with Iran. We, on the other hand, must do the opposite," said Ali Motahari, referring to Friday’s meeting between senior US diplomats and Syria's de-facto new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Motahari also said that during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's recent visit to Cairo, he urged the Egyptian president to take steps to help improve Iran's image in the region and internationally.