Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Wednesday that the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was the result of a plan orchestrated by the United States and Israel.
He also suggested that one of Syria’s neighbours played a role, without directly naming the country. However, his remarks appeared to point towards Turkey, which has supported opposition rebels. Assad’s overthrow is widely regarded as a major blow to the “Axis of Resistance,” a political and military alliance led by Iran that opposes US and Israeli influence in the Middle East.
“What happened in Syria was primarily planned in the command centres of America and Israel. We have evidence of this. A neighbouring government of Syria was also involved,” Khamenei said in a speech broadcast by Iranian state media. The neighbouring country had a “clear role and continues to have one,” he added.
Turkey’s role and Iran’s response
Turkey, a NATO member, controls areas in northern Syria following several cross-border operations against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Turkey has been a key supporter of opposition groups aiming to oust Assad.
Iran, meanwhile, spent billions of dollars supporting Assad during the conflict and deployed its Revolutionary Guards to Syria to ensure its ally remained in power.
Hours after Assad’s fall, Iran expressed its expectation that relations with Damascus would continue based on the “far-sighted and wise approach” of the two nations. It also called for the establishment of a government representing all segments of Syrian society.
Strengthening the Axis of Resistance
In his speech, Khamenei stated that the Iran-led alliance in the region would only grow stronger despite external pressures.
Khamenei delivers a speech on Syria, saying that the fall of Assad was orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 11, 2024
He added that the group in power in Syria now won’t rule for long as the Syrian youth will topple them. pic.twitter.com/MrGhnX9Zqk
“The more pressure you apply, the stronger the resistance becomes. The more crimes you commit, the more determined it grows. The more you fight it, the more it expands,” Khamenei declared. “Iran is strong and becoming stronger—and it will grow even more powerful,” he added.
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