Syria and Israel resumed U.S.-mediated talks Tuesday in Paris aimed at de-escalating tensions along their shared border, according to Syria's state news agency, SANA. The discussions represent a renewed effort to improve relations between the two nations after decades of conflict.

The talks, confirmed by a Western diplomat and French, Israeli, and Syrian officials speaking anonymously, focused on re-establishing a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone between Syrian and Israeli forces, SANA reported, citing a Syrian government source. Thomas J. Barrack Jr., the American special envoy to Syria and Lebanon, served as mediator.

SANA reported that the Syrian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama. The news agency stated that the Syrian team advocated for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from territory it seized following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024.

Previous negotiation rounds had stalled in recent months, Syrian officials said, due to ongoing Israeli military operations.

The resumption of talks highlights the ongoing complexities of regional security and international diplomacy. The role of the United States as mediator underscores its continued involvement in attempting to stabilize the region. The establishment of a UN buffer zone, if achieved, could serve as a crucial mechanism for preventing future escalations. However, the demand for Israeli withdrawal from contested territories presents a significant obstacle to a lasting agreement.

The current status of the negotiations remains uncertain, and future developments will likely depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise. The involvement of multiple international actors, including the U.S. and the UN, suggests a broad recognition of the need for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing tensions between Syria and Israel.