SAEDNEWS: During a high-stakes visit to Syria, Iranian envoy Abbas Araghchi shared a personal moment over Damascus’s legendary shawarma, sparking buzz across social media amid ongoing regional tensions.
According to Saed News, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Syria last year included not only strategic talks with President Bashar al-Assad and a pilgrimage to the shrine of Sayyida Ruqayya (S), but also a brief culinary interlude that captured public imagination. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi wrote in Arabic: “After a significant meeting with the Syrian President and a spiritual visit to the shrine, we had the famous shawarma of Damascus at Dajajati Restaurant in the serene neighborhood of Mezzeh, surrounded by the warm-hearted people of the city. Everywhere has shawarma, but the original belongs to Damascus—with over a century of history. You were all missed.”
The visit occurred prior to renewed escalations involving armed insurgent groups in Syria. Yet, Araghchi’s symbolic choice to dine in a public restaurant rather than a secure diplomatic venue drew wide attention, particularly amid the precarious security climate. His presence was viewed by many as a gesture of solidarity with ordinary Syrians and a signal of calm resilience in the face of instability.
More than a food anecdote, the moment underscored Iran’s enduring support for the Syrian government. During his formal talks, Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s backing of Syria’s state institutions and its president. “Iran stands firmly by the government, the people, and the army of Syria,” he reportedly conveyed to Assad.
The contrast between diplomatic gravity and informal warmth—shawarma in one hand, strategy in the other—made for a narrative that resonated well beyond the dinner table.
