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MIDEAST: Khamenei Vows Expanded Axis Of Resistance Amid Major Regional Setbacks

MIDEAST
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Posting on X, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that the Iranian-backed 'axis of resistance' will be expanded in the Middle East. It remains to be seen how this is possible, at least in the short-to-medium term given the major blows dealt to Tehran's influence within the region via proxies in recent months. The near-destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the end of Hezbollah's existence as a major fighting force in Lebanon, and now the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria have all come as significant blows to Tehran. 

  • Khamenei claims "The occupied areas of Syria will be liberated..." He also claims "A government in a neighboring country of Syria has played and is still playing a clear role in what’s happening. However, the primary conspirators and control room are in the United States and [Israel]. We have evidence of this that leaves no room for doubt for anyone." The 'unnamed neighbouring country' likely refers to Turkey, which has long backed some anti-Assad rebels.
  • As Foreign Policy notes, Iran views Turkey as a major rival for regional power, and Turkey's backing of Syrian rebels gives Ankara a significantly increased influence in the region.
  • Without its proxies in the Levant, Iran's focus for the 'axis' turns to its last remaining operators in the form of the Houthis in Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq (although the loss of influence in Syria will impact Iran's operations in neighbouring Iraq). 

 

 

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Posting on X, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that the Iranian-backed 'axis of resistance' will be expanded in the Middle East. It remains to be seen how this is possible, at least in the short-to-medium term given the major blows dealt to Tehran's influence within the region via proxies in recent months. The near-destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the end of Hezbollah's existence as a major fighting force in Lebanon, and now the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria have all come as significant blows to Tehran. 

  • Khamenei claims "The occupied areas of Syria will be liberated..." He also claims "A government in a neighboring country of Syria has played and is still playing a clear role in what’s happening. However, the primary conspirators and control room are in the United States and [Israel]. We have evidence of this that leaves no room for doubt for anyone." The 'unnamed neighbouring country' likely refers to Turkey, which has long backed some anti-Assad rebels.
  • As Foreign Policy notes, Iran views Turkey as a major rival for regional power, and Turkey's backing of Syrian rebels gives Ankara a significantly increased influence in the region.
  • Without its proxies in the Levant, Iran's focus for the 'axis' turns to its last remaining operators in the form of the Houthis in Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq (although the loss of influence in Syria will impact Iran's operations in neighbouring Iraq).