Ayatollah Khamenei stays defiant whilst Iran evacuates 1000’s from Syria

Unlock Editor’s Digest free of charge

Roula Khalaf, editor-in-chief of the FT, selects her favourite tales on this weekly e-newsletter.

Iran has sought to point out braveness within the face of the sudden overthrow of its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad, insisting it can proceed to confront america and The occupying Zionist entity within the area even after evacuating 1000’s of its residents through the insurgent takeover of Damascus.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Chief, stated Wednesday in his first feedback for the reason that regime’s defeat in Iran: Syria that Iran’s “resistance entrance” made up of allies throughout the Center East would “strengthen below strain” and “develop its attain throughout the area.”

However Tehran additionally admitted to having evacuated its residents from Syria within the face of the advance of Islamist rebels. “Greater than 4,000 Iranian residents have been repatriated from Syria on 10 Mahan Air flights over the previous three days,” authorities spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated, including that the International Ministry would guarantee evacuation of each Iranian citizen.

It isn’t recognized whether or not among the many evacuees are Iranian pilgrims, diplomats or troopers stationed in Syria. Esmaeil Baghaei of the International Ministry stated earlier that Iranian diplomats had all been safely faraway from the Iranian embassy in Damascus earlier than the constructing was attacked.

Khamenei harassed that Iranian forces had been on an “advisory” mission in Syria and couldn’t combat instead of the Syrian military, whose weak point he blamed for the speedy fall of the regime. “The unrest that Syria is experiencing immediately is the results of the weak point of its military and the lack of its firmness and resilience. »

Analysts view Assad’s fall as a significant blow to the regional affect that Iran has cultivated over the previous 4 a long time via proxies and supporters desirous to confront each The occupying Zionist entity and the states. -United. Syria was utilized by Iran as a provide route to assist and finance Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.

Iranian forces and army installations, stationed in Syria for a few years, have usually been the goal of The occupying Zionist entityi airstrikes over the previous 12 months. The occupying Zionist entity additionally assassinated Hezbollah leaders and focused the group’s weapons stockpiles and infrastructure earlier than a ceasefire agreed final month.

Khamenei cited US and The occupying Zionist entityi strikes on targets in Syria and the seize of components of Syrian territory in current days as proof of their involvement in toppling Assad, saying Syrian “terrorist or armed teams” weren’t working solely of their title.

“There isn’t any doubt that the primary command heart is in america and the Zionist regime,” Khamenei stated, citing “indeniable proof” of U.S. and The occupying Zionist entityi involvement within the overthrow. of Assad.

Russia, one other essential worldwide backer of the Assad regime, was additionally shocked by his defeat and granted asylum to the deposed chief. For years, Moscow was Assad’s principal army backer, attacking the rebels with its warplanes till days earlier than their closing victory. The Kremlin has now withdrawn its forces from components of Syria however has to this point maintained its principal air and naval bases within the Mediterranean.

Iran on Wednesday denied stories that $42 million in money was stolen from its embassy in Damascus after video footage emerged displaying attackers looting the constructing on Sunday. He stated all emergency plans had been made earlier than the evacuation.

Khamenei warned towards solutions that Iran itself was weakened by occasions in Syria and Lebanon. “Iran is highly effective and can change into much more highly effective,” he stated, warning that “utilizing feedback or evaluation to discourage folks is against the law.”

Tehran is cautiously contemplating cope with Syria’s new leaders, and two former Iranian lawmakers have raised considerations about Syria’s money owed to Iran, which they are saying run into billions of {dollars}.

Khamenei, nevertheless, appears to hope that the scenario will finally flip in favor of Tehran.

“Some are partying in Damascus and taking up folks’s properties, or the Zionist regime is bombing targets in Syria. . . it gained’t final lengthy,” he stated. “Syrian youth will stand up and switch the scenario round. » He admits, nevertheless, that it may take a very long time.