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Iran Blames Assad Following Sudden Regime Collapse
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Iranian Officials' Statements Indicate Tehran's Attempt to Adapt to New Reality in Syria and Preserve Future Interests
Questions continue surrounding former Syrian regime president Bashar al-Assad's rapid collapse within days, while Tehran acknowledged apparent deficiency or lack of resolve in Syrian army facing armed factions' advance, resulting in regime change.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatima Mohajerani stated Tuesday that Iran-Syria links are based on preserving Syrian territorial unity and national sovereignty.
She expressed: "We wish best for Syrian people and hope coming developments bring goodness and benefit for them," explaining "Iran-Syria relations extend for long decades, including cultural and civilizational cooperation."
She continued: "We closely follow ongoing transformations in Syria, always wishing Syrian best for Syrian people." These statements emerged after several sources revealed Tehran evacuating key Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force military advisors and leaders from Syria before Assad's fall, plus diplomatic staff.
Sources noted hundreds of Iranian fighters' transfer to Iraq recent days, coinciding with Iranian and Syrian sources confirming Tehran notified Assad any Iranian support for his government, if realized, would remain extremely limited, per Wall Street Journal.
Revealed Iranian authorities blame former Syrian regime president for insufficient preparations facing armed factions' attack.
Tehran preferred, instead of supporting Damascus ally, directing Revolutionary Guards and forces to avoid confrontation, arranging safe elements withdrawal. Syrian officials explained Iranians reached agreement peacefully surrendering control areas to armed factions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced last Friday, two days before Assad's fall, difficulty predicting Syrian regime president's fate, coinciding with armed factions' southern push toward capital, after HTS and allies secured control over Aleppo, then Hama and Homs.
Levant-Agencies
