Weekly panorama: elections marginalize Syrian components; anticipated agreement on Iran

Arab newspapers published over the past week focused on Syria’s parliamentary elections, developments surrounding Iran, and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

Five seats out of 210: “People’s Assembly” elections marginalize Kurds

Beginning with Syrian affairs, the Lebanese Newspaper al-Akhbar highlighted the selection process for members of Syria’s parliament, known as the People’s Assembly, stating that the mechanism clearly marginalized the Kurdish population, which secured only five seats out of the assembly’s 210 seats.

The newspaper noted that the transitional authorities allocated two seats to the Kobani region and nine seats to al-Hasakah Governorate, distributed among al-Hasakah, Qamishlo, and al-Malikiyah, within what it described as a system of “power-sharing” between Arabs and Kurds.

It further pointed out that the elections were conducted through an “electoral body” responsible for selecting two-thirds of the assembly’s members, describing the process as closer to a “disguised appointment” than a genuine election.

According to the report, Kurdish political parties and movements, including the Democratic Union Party (PYD), rejected the election results, describing the allocation of only five seats to Kurds as a form of “political execution” of their rights. They called for representation of no fewer than 40 seats, reflecting the Kurdish population’s demographic weight in Syria.

The newspaper also criticized the weak representation of women, noting that the list of elected members included only one woman. It added that Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to appoint the remaining 70 members in the coming days, while seats allocated to Suwayda remain vacant.

Agreement awaiting implementation

In the same context, Al-Khaleej Newspaper argued that an agreement between Washington and Tehran is drawing near, pending final adjustments and approval from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who, according to U.S. reports, has been living in a secret shelter since being injured during the recent war.

The newspaper indicated that neither side appears to be rushing to announce the agreement despite the completion of most of its provisions, as discussions continue over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the transfer of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

It also reported that the anticipated agreement includes the release of approximately $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets, while U.S. military forces would remain in the region during a 60-day de-escalation period, paving the way for broader negotiations on the nuclear file.

The newspaper stressed that, if implemented, the agreement could help end the conflict and ease tensions in the Gulf region, particularly given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a key route for global energy supplies and trade. However, it noted that the success of the agreement will ultimately depend on all parties adhering to its terms.

Strait of Hormuz at the heart of international tensions

Meanwhile, Al-Bayan Newspaper examined the issue of maritime chokepoints and freedom of navigation, stating that the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has once again brought maritime routes to the forefront of international disputes, particularly after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and imposed fees on passing vessels.

The newspaper stated that Tehran treated the strait as a “political bargaining chip,” despite international law recognizing it as an international waterway governed by agreements guaranteeing freedom of navigation. It added that the closure caused significant damage to Gulf states and energy-importing countries, given that approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas trade passes through the strait.

Furthermore, the newspaper noted that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea prohibits the imposition of fees on transit passage through international straits, except for charges related to navigational or port services. It argued that Iran’s measures constitute a direct challenge to international law and to the global economic order.

ANHA