The Trump administration has launched “preliminary discussions” with Israel and Syria aimed at establishing a security framework, U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios. The dialogue marks the first diplomatic contact of its kind since the fall of the Assad regime last year and the rise of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

While normalization is not on the table yet, the talks aim to reduce border tensions and update military coordination between the two longtime foes. “We are having very soft preliminary discussions,” a senior U.S. official said, calling the process akin to “peeling an onion.”

Israel Seeks Step-by-Step Accord

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly expressed interest in a phased process during his June meeting with Trump’s envoy Tom Barrack. According to officials, Netanyahu wants to begin with an updated version of the 1974 disengagement agreement and eventually work toward full peace and normalization with Syria’s new leadership.

Despite this ambition, senior Israeli officials cautioned that a breakthrough is far off, emphasizing that negotiations would require time, trust-building, and active U.S. mediation.

After Assad: A New Geopolitical Landscape

The talks come in the wake of a significant power shift in Syria. After Islamist rebels ousted the Assad regime in a surprise December offensive, Israel launched a campaign of airstrikes that neutralized Syria’s remaining military infrastructure. Israeli forces now control parts of the buffer zone and the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, using these positions as leverage in ongoing discussions.

Israel has communicated with Syria through multiple channels, including Mossad, the IDF, and high-level political envoys, but now hopes Washington will take a more assertive mediating role.

Golan Heights: A Historic Obstacle

A central issue remains the status of the Golan Heights. While Syria has historically demanded its full return in exchange for peace, Israeli officials insist the territory—recognized by Trump as part of Israel—will not be negotiated away.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reinforced this position, stating, “The Golan Heights will remain part of Israel under any future deal.”