Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted on Tuesday that Israel and the United States were mistaken in thinking that the Tehran-backed resistance axis had crumbled following the potential removal of Syria’s long-standing president, Bashar al-Assad.
In a televised speech, Khamenei dismissed these claims, stating, “With the developments in Syria and the ongoing crimes committed by the Zionist regime and the United States, along with support from some others, they believed that the resistance had ended. They are completely wrong.”
He was responding to the events of December 8, when Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled as rebel forces advanced toward Damascus. Since Assad’s potential downfall, Iran has distanced itself from the ousted leader, while underscoring the long-standing ties between the two nations.
Khamenei emphasized that Assad’s departure would not undermine Iran’s position. “The Zionist regime believes it can encircle and destroy Hezbollah forces through Syria, but in reality, it is Israel that will face destruction,” he stated.
