Iran in direct contact with groups in Syria's new leadership — Iranian official

Syrian opposition fighters stand atop a seized military armored vehicle on the outskirts of Hama, Syria. Picture: AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed

Iran has opened a direct line of communication with rebels in Syria's new leadership since its ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted, a senior Iranian official said on Monday, in an attempt to "prevent a hostile trajectory" between the countries.

The lightning advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, marked one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East in generations.