Khamenei aide says Damascus has ‘key role in the region for promoting firm policies of resistance’
ed note–given the realities of the region, namely that the present war on Syria is being done as a means to eventually destabilizing and destroying Iran, it is HIGHLY unlikely that Kahmenei would make such a statement unless Iran had firm assurances from Russia that in the event Iran is attacked by the US, NATO or Israel that Russia would be there to help.
Iran would consider any attack on Syria an attack on itself, a senior government official was quoted as saying on Saturday, in one of Tehran’s most assertive defenses of its ally yet.
Iran is a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad who is fighting a near two-year-long revolt. Tehran has already repeatedly warned the West against intervening in the conflict against Assad.
“Syria has a very basic and key role in the region for promoting firm policies of resistance … For this reason an attack on Syria would be considered an attack on Iran and Iran’s allies,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the Mehr news agency.
Tehran sees Damascus as part of an axis of opposition to Israeli and Western influence in the Middle East.
In September, an Iranian military official was quoted as saying Iran would take action if the United States was to attack Syria.
Shiite Muslim power Iran and Syria, whose leader follows an offshoot of Shiite Islam, signed a mutual defense pact in 2006, but little is known of its details or whether there are any other signatories.
Iran accuses Western powers and regional states of supporting and arming the Syrian rebels, while the rebels accuse Iran of sending fighters from its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to help Assad crush the uprising.
#1 by Isaac on January 27, 2013 - 12:04 am
Good. That’s good news. I have always said that the non aligned powers should get together and face reality. They should stand up against the arrogant hegemony of the “West” “NATO” with it’s destructive policies.
#2 by Al on January 27, 2013 - 7:40 am
It is very easy to recognize who the puppets or who the independent countries are… Any country which is criticized or attacked by US and its puppets are independent ones who don’t follow the orders from Washington or Europe…
#3 by annebeck58 on January 27, 2013 - 8:18 am
First of all, Mark; I agree. I think Russia (Putin) is quite happy being on the side of Iran, particularly given their own history of the now, “Israelis”, but also because the US and IZ have gone completely MENTAL in the Mid-East, as well as (now) Africa, so why would Russia not wish to prevent this?
The only way for them to do so is to pick sides, and being on the side of the West really is not correct. Heck, I’m not on the side of the US or our Allies (fewer each day, it feels), and I live here. I’ve never been so embarassed and disgusted with my governement than I am now.
I truly believe Russia means they will be a good ally to Iran, and if we dare step over this line, things are going to change for us, especially the USA. We, as well as IZ, may well find ourselves being invaded, after all. I hope Obama can open what’s left of his overtaken mind and consider this fact. I don’t see it as an idle threat.
And I am glad someone is willing to step in and take ownership of ending all of this.