Tehran – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that the weakening of the anti-Israel “resistance” following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria would not diminish Tehran’s power. Addressing the nation in his first speech since Assad’s regime fell, Khamenei emphasized Iran’s resilience and strength.
“Some, unaware of the meaning of resistance, imagine that when the resistance becomes weak, Islamic Iran will also become weak… Iran is strong and powerful and will become even more powerful,” Khamenei stated.
Blame on US, Israel, and Turkey
Khamenei further accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating Assad’s downfall. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, he asserted:
“There should be no doubt that what happened in Syria is the product of a joint American and Zionist plan.”
He also implicated Turkey in the Syrian conflict, suggesting, “Yes, a neighboring government of Syria plays, has played, and is playing an obvious role in this regard – everyone sees this – but the main conspirator, mastermind, and command center are in America and the Zionist regime. We have evidence. This evidence leaves no room for doubt.”
Resistance to Expand
Further comments from Khamenei were reported by the IRNA news agency, where he spoke about the broader implications of the conflict:
“You must understand that the more pressure you put on the resistance front [to Israel], the stronger it becomes. The more crimes you commit, the more motivated it becomes. The more you fight it, the more it will expand. By the grace of God, the resistance will expand more than before to cover the entire region.”
Khamenei’s statements signal a defiant stance from Iran amidst regional shifts, highlighting a commitment to supporting resistance movements against Israel, despite the political changes in neighboring Syria.
Key Points:
- Iran’s Strength Undiminished: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserts that the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria will not weaken Iran, emphasizing that Iran remains strong and will become even more powerful.
- Accusations Against US, Israel, and Turkey: Khamenei blames the United States and Israel for orchestrating Assad’s downfall. He also points to Turkey’s involvement, though he describes the U.S. and Israel as the main conspirators.
- Evidence of Conspiracy: Khamenei claims there is undeniable evidence that America and the “Zionist regime” (Israel) were behind the Syrian regime change.
- Strengthening Resistance: He predicts that increased pressure on the anti-Israel resistance will only make it stronger and more widespread, suggesting that the resistance will expand across the region.
