Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Speaking in Tehran following Assad’s escape to Russia after his government’s collapse, Khamenei claimed that Syria’s turmoil resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. and Zionists. The leader expressed grief over the loss of Syria as a central ally in the “Axis of Resistance,” addressing a subdued audience in a speech that emphasized the gravity of the situation.
Khamenei attributed the visible role in Syria’s unrest to a neighboring country, which many interpret as a reference to Turkey due to its backing of Syrian rebels since 2011. However, he maintained that the core planning and execution of Assad’s downfall were managed by the U.S. and Israel. He insisted that evidence supported his claims and described the unfolding events as unacceptable, especially the celebratory actions of rebels in Damascus alongside Israeli military incursions.
The conflict reached a critical turning point last week when Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a Sunni Islamist group with Al-Qaeda roots, led an offensive against Assad’s forces. Key cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs fell into rebel hands before the capture of Damascus, forcing Assad to flee and effectively ending his family’s 50-year rule. Rebels also destroyed the mausoleum of Hafez al-Assad, marking the symbolic conclusion of the Assad regime.
Khamenei Accuses U.S. and Israel of Orchestrating Assad’s Fall, Sparking Turmoil in Postwar Syria
U.S. President Joe Biden linked Assad’s fall to pressures exerted on Russia and Iran, longtime backers of the regime. He also credited Israel’s operations against Hezbollah and Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression for contributing to the rebel advances. Biden stressed the importance of monitoring Syria’s transition closely, highlighting the risk of ISIS exploiting the resulting instability. He revealed that U.S. forces conducted precision strikes on ISIS targets within Syria to counter this threat.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlined U.S. support for a new Syrian government formed through an inclusive and transparent transition. He underscored the importance of respecting minority rights, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches all in need, and preventing Syria from becoming a base for terrorism. Blinken also stressed the necessity of dismantling any remaining chemical or biological weapons and urged international backing for Syria’s reconstruction without foreign interference.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated Assad’s removal, calling it a major step in weakening Iran’s regional influence. Netanyahu attributed the regime’s collapse to Israel’s actions against Iranian and Hezbollah forces. Following Assad’s fall, Israel launched strikes on strategic weapons systems and chemical sites within Syria to prevent their misuse by extremist groups. Israeli officials emphasized the importance of these actions in protecting their nation’s security and ensuring stability in the region.
