Khamenei condemned the ousting of Bashar al-Assad as a conspiracy orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel, blaming a neighboring country without naming it. He asserted that Iranian intelligence had issued warnings about threats to Syria and claimed that the changes in leadership would not diminish Iran’s strength, rather reinforcing the nation’s resistance against its foes. Further, Khamenei expressed confidence in continued relations with Syria post-al-Assad.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has expressed strong opposition to the recent developments surrounding the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In a speech delivered in Tehran, Khamenei unequivocally characterized the change in leadership as a “joint American-Zionist plot” and placed additional blame on a neighboring country, although he did not specify which one. He asserted that Iranian intelligence had warned Syria about various threats to its stability, suggesting that the Syrian government had underestimated these warnings.
The swift actions of Syrian rebels leading to the fall of al-Assad marked a significant shift in the region, impacting Iran’s strategic alliances. Since the onset of the Syrian war in 2011, both Iran and Russia have been pivotal in supporting al-Assad’s government militarily and politically. Following al-Assad’s departure, Khamenei contended that allegations of Iran’s weakened influence were misguided. He emphasized that external pressures would only serve to strengthen Iran’s resolve and its commitment to the “axis of resistance” against U.S. and Israeli interests.
Khamenei firmly rejected the notion that the recent upheaval would diminish Iran’s power in the region. He stated, “The more pressure you apply, the stronger it becomes; the more crimes you commit, the more motivated it becomes; the more you fight them, the more expanded it becomes.” The implications of this shift in Syria are profound, not only for Iran but also for regional dynamics, particularly regarding its ongoing opposition to perceived threats from the West.
The backdrop of this situation revolves around the ongoing civil war in Syria, which began in 2011, leading to significant geopolitical changes in the Middle East. Iran has historically supported the Assad regime as part of its broader strategy to counter U.S. and Israeli influences in the region. The fall of al-Assad has raised concerns for Iranian leadership, as he was a key ally in the so-called “axis of resistance,” which also comprises various militant groups opposed to Western interests. Furthermore, the involvement of external players, such as the U.S. and Israel, has complicated the narrative around Syria’s stability and its impact on Iranian power, prompting Khamenei’s recent declarations.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks underscore Iran’s unwavering commitment to its strategic goals, despite the recent political upheaval in Syria stemming from the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. By framing these events as part of a larger conspiracy led by the U.S. and Israel, Khamenei seeks to consolidate support for Iran’s influence in the region. His insistence that pressure from adversaries only strengthens Iran highlights a crucial aspect of Iranian strategy in maintaining its stance against external threats.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
