“Determining Syria’s fate and deciding its future is solely the responsibility of its people, free from destructive interference or external imposition,” their statement said.

“Achieving this goal requires the swift cessation of military conflicts, prevention of terrorist activities, and the initiation of national dialogues with the participation of all segments of Syrian society. These steps aim to establish an inclusive government that represents all the people of Syria,” the Ministry said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria’s status as an important and influential country in the West Asia region, will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria,” the Ministry stated, adding, “To this end, Iran will continue its consultations with all influential parties, particularly within the region.”

Iran expects to continue “friendly” relations with Syria in the aftermath of the rebel takeover.

Syrian state television aired a video statement early Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free.

They called on people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state.” The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed.

The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations.