Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian with Bashar al-Assad (File/AP)
Amid stalled Iran nuclear talks, Israeli attacks inside Syria, and the realignment of Russian forces because of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has visited Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
No details were given in the Assad regime’s statement on the talks. It stuck to template declarations such as Assad’s description of a Syrian-Iranian “alliance of the will” versus the West. The Iranian Foreign Ministry used the quote, “We are happy that in such conditions, the Islamic Republic of Iran is part of the political solution in the region.”
Abdollahian cited “issues of common interest” and said Assad’s visit to Tehran in May “marked a major turning point” with “profound consequences for the relations between the two countries”.
Abollahian also referred to Israel’s regular airstrikes inside Syria on regime and Iranian positions as part of a “terrorist war”.
The most significant signal in the statement was the denunciations by both sides of Turkey’s “threats to launch a new aggression against Syria”, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saying Ankara might launch further cross-border military operations against Kurdish areas in north and northeast Syria.
Iran has propped up the Assad regime with billions of dollars in assistance, as well as military intervention, since the Syrian uprising of March 2011. However, Tehran has curtailed the aid because of its economic situation.
Amir-Abdollahian’s visit came three days after the failure of indirect US-Iran talks in Qatar to resolve issues over the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia).
With the stalled discussions and no immediate prospect of the lifting of US sanctions, the Iranian currency has sunk to an all-time low amid nationwide protests over wages, pensions, working conditions, and prices.
See also No Progress in Iran Nuclear Talks In Qatar
Iran’s Currency Nears Historic Low as Nuclear Talks Stall
Meanwhile, Russia has had to pull forces from Syria because of the high cost, in troops and materiel, of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Unconfirmed claims say Iran has taken over some of the military positions.
But Israel is hindering the Iranian military with the airstrikes against bases, warehouses, and even Damascus International Airport. The attacks seek to prevent Iran’s transfer of weapons and missiles to its ally Hezbollah, as well as curbing Iranian capabilities.
See also Assad Regime Closes Damascus Airport After Runways Damaged in Israeli Strike
New survey claims Raisi’s approval rating is 28%: hhttps://surveycenter.io/efes1/en/data/Stasis-EFES_Survey1_FullReport_EN.pdf
However, most Iranians believe external factors are to blame for his inability to deliver. A majority want a renewed nuclear deal.
The Raisi administration states that it is performing “economic surgery” -including ending artificial prices – which will benefit Iran in the long term.
Should also point out that the response rate of 34% is lower compared to other phone surveys.
Varharan,
Interesting report but you’ve distorted it with your commentary that “most Iranian believe external factors are to blame”. Here are the key sentences.
“When respondents were asked if they believe President Raisi can solve the issues that the Iranians people face today, only 20 percent say he is fully capable of doing so….Among those who felt Mr. Raisi is not fully capable of solving the issues facing Iranians today, about 21 percent said that he is hindered by personal shortcomings, whereas 49 percent felt that external political factors are the main obstacle….
Among those who said that they voted for Mr. Raisi in the last presidential election, only 51 percent said they would vote for him again. Thirty percent of those respondents said that they would now prefer not to participate in the election.”
S.