Iran’s supreme leader has accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the downfall of Syria’s former president Bashar al-Assad and attempting to push Iran out of the country. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made these claims during a speech in Tehran, marking his first public comments since the collapse of a key part of Iran’s "axis of resistance."

“There should be no doubt that what happened in Syria is the product of a joint American and Zionist plan,” Khamenei stated. He further accused a neighboring government of playing a significant role in the events in Syria but emphasized that the primary conspirators and command centers are in the United States and Israel. “We have evidence. This evidence leaves no room for doubt,” Khamenei asserted, as reported by Iranian state media.

Khamenei expressed frustration over the developments in Damascus, criticizing scenes of celebration that he deemed unacceptable in light of Zionist regime attacks. He urged the Syrian youth to remain steadfast, stating, “The Syrian youth will undoubtedly stand firm and overcome this situation.”

In addition, Khamenei highlighted that the Iran-led resistance alliance would grow stronger across the region. “The more pressure you exert, the stronger the resistance becomes. The more crimes you commit, the more determined it becomes. The more you fight against it, the more it expands,” he proclaimed.

The fallout from Syria’s political collapse has sparked rare and open criticism within Iran regarding its strategy in Syria and the broader implications for its security and foreign policy. Reformist political activists and analysts have questioned whether Iran’s massive financial investment in propping up Assad’s regime – reportedly $30 billion to $40 billion – was justified. There is also widespread debate about whether Iran will recover the financial debts owed by Syria or retain its influence with the likely new Sunni-dominated government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

In a significant diplomatic development, Qatar is set to reopen its embassy in Damascus, strengthening its position in the region. Meanwhile, Hamas, historically allied with Iran, has welcomed Assad’s downfall, further complicating Iran’s regional strategy.

Iranian officials, including Vice-President Javad Zarif, have acknowledged strategic missteps in Syria. Zarif has called for a shift from a threat-centric foreign policy to one that seeks opportunities. He stated, “Military victories are temporary. Without a win-win political agreement, they often lead to defeat.”

Disclaimer:This image is taken from Reuters.