'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the United States, Israel, and an unnamed neighboring country of orchestrating the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, describing the events in Syria as part of a “joint American-Zionist plot.”
Speaking in Tehran on Wednesday, Khamenei addressed al-Assad’s fall for the first time, emphasizing what he called the resilience of Iran’s regional resistance movement.
“There should be no doubt that what happened in Syria was the result of a joint American-Zionist plot,” Khamenei stated, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. While identifying the U.S. and Israel as the primary conspirators, Khamenei also pointed to the involvement of “a neighboring state of Syria,” refraining from naming the country. Analysts believe this could refer to Turkiye, which has supported Syrian opposition forces throughout the conflict.
Khamenei revealed that Iranian intelligence had warned the Syrian government about potential threats to its stability in recent months, criticizing Damascus for what he described as “neglect of the enemy.”
“The Syrian government was cautioned about the dangers over the past three months, but unfortunately, they underestimated the situation,” Khamenei said.
The fall of al-Assad, whose family had ruled Syria for decades, marks a significant blow to the Iran-led “axis of resistance,” which also includes Hezbollah and other armed groups. Al-Assad had been a key ally for Iran, providing a strategic foothold in the region. Iran, alongside Russia, had provided significant military and political support to al-Assad’s government during the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011.
Despite the loss, Khamenei dismissed claims that Iran’s influence in the region would be diminished, insisting that resistance against U.S. and Israeli policies would only strengthen.
“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,” Khamenei asserted.
The collapse of al-Assad’s regime comes amidst broader geopolitical shifts. U.S. President Joe Biden attributed the Syrian leader’s fall to American support for Israel’s operations in Gaza, its fight against Hezbollah, and its backing of anti-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq. Biden also highlighted how U.S. support for Ukraine’s war against Russia had strained Moscow’s resources, weakening one of al-Assad’s chief allies.
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military operations in Syria, including airstrikes targeting key installations and incursions into the demilitarized zone. These actions have further destabilized the region, complicating Iran’s strategic ambitions.
Hours after al-Assad fled Syria, Iran called for the formation of an inclusive government representing all segments of Syrian society. Officials in Tehran expressed optimism about future relations with Damascus, emphasizing a “far-sighted and wise approach” to maintain ties despite the political upheaval.
While the loss of its key ally poses challenges for Iran, Khamenei’s speech underscored Tehran’s resolve to maintain its influence and expand its regional resistance strategy in the face of mounting external pressure.
