The Supreme Leader " Our difficult partner"

Iran’s rush to announce the killing of 13 of its “advisors” in Khan Touman near Aleppo is a reminder to those who might be concerned. It implies that Iran is standing in the first front line defending the Assad regime. The message is addressed to the enemies of the regime as well as to the Russians. 

Iran could have hidden the killing of this number in one battle and to bury them one after another; but this time it chose a new way. The announcement itself obliges Iran to get more involved in the ongoing battles.

Noticeably, the declaration came after Tehran informed Russia that the issue of keeping Assad in power is a red line that can’t be surpassed. The Iranian announcement also coincided with Moscow’s announcement about extending the ceasefire in Aleppo. The Russian announcement came after Putin’s televised opening of the musical concert in Palmyra. Surprisingly, the Tsar and the Supreme leader have the same method in forming their messages. 

Russians and Iranians have no interests during this period in turning the differences in their approaches into public disputes. Moreover, there is no sign that the Syrian crisis has entered its last chapter or even approaching it, but it is hasty to speak about Russian- Iranian identical attitudes towards the Syrian crisis. 

It is clear that Russia, which prevented the fall of Assad, is after weakening the opposition in order to force it to go back to negotiations. It also wants to avoid any Afghani scenario in Syria.

Russia wants to drain the opposition rather than eliminate it completely. Russia doesn’t want to show that it is causing a disaster for the Sunni component in Syria. Such a calamity would turn Russia into the “Big Evil” for the whole Muslim World and would leave negative impacts on 20 million Russian Muslims. 

Iran puts the Syrian cause on top of its regional considerations. Observers of the situation in Tehran say that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cannot bear any solution that removes Assad from power. Syria for Iran is the core of its interests in the region. Any change in regime would mean pushing Hezbollah back to be a local player after it has it been changed through the Syrian conflict into a regional actor.

It is also clear that Iran is expecting to win and resolve the situation militarily more than politically. It wants to make use of any chances in Syria. That’s why some Russian officials never feel embarrassed to say for some visitors that “Iran is our tough partner in Syria.” Ghassan Sharbal in Al-Hayat

Translated by Orient Net English