by MEMRI
'Russia Must Not Interfere In Syria's Internal Affairs'; If Russia 'Wants To Stand [Against Us], We Will Surely Stand Against It'
Iran responded resentfully to
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's statements in late May 2018
regarding the need for all foreign forces to withdraw from Syria –
meaning also Iranian forces or those sponsored by Iran, such as
Hizbullah and the Shi'ite militias.
Iranian regime spokesmen, from both the
pragmatic and ideological camps, rejected the demand, that came from
Russia's most pro-Iran representative, Lavrov. They clarified that Iran
was in Syria at the permission of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, and
that therefore Russia's demand was illegitimate. The Iranian Ghanoon daily,
which is affiliated with the Iranian reformist stream, openly expressed
opposition to reliance on Russia, even mounting a personal attack
against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor and
associate of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is the most senior
political figure in Iran's ideological camp, which has in recent years
pushed for cooperating with Russia to counter the pro-West, and
particularly pro-U.S., policy promoted by the pragmatist camp, led by
Iranian President Hassan Rohani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. He
attempted to defend his pro-Russia policy and Russia itself, saying that
it had consistently supported Iran's position in the face of the West's
pressure on Iran and false promises to it (for more on the rival
Iranian camps' choice between a pro-West or a pro-Russia strategy, see
MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 1191, Iran At The Crossroads: Between Russia And The U.S., October 13, 2015). Velayati stated that Russia does not want to, and cannot, force a policy on Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesmen were
more vehement in their criticism of Russia. After recalling Russia's
generally pro-Iran policy, they stated that Russia does not determine
Iranian policy, and warned it, albeit not strongly, not to dictate to
Iran to pursue Russian interests in Syria.
Below is an analysis of the situation
in Syria from an interview with Jahangir Karami, director of a research
group on Russia at Tehran University, on the subject, followed by
reactions from officials of Iran's pragmatic, reformist, and ideological
camps to Russia's demand that all foreign withdraw from Syria.
Director Of Research Group On Russia At Tehran University: Russia Will Not Hesitate To Choose The West Over Iran
The Tasnim news agency, which is close to
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), interviewed Jahangir
Karami, director of a research group on Russia, Central Asia, and the
Caucasus at Tehran University. In the interview, Karami noted Iran's
inferiority to Russia in the Syrian arena and the limitations of its
power in the global political arena. He discussed Iranian, Russian, and
Israeli interests in Syria, and noted that Iran-Russia relations do not
constitute a comprehensive military alliance, and that Russia will
prefer to join the West, not confront it militarily, and in particular
will prioritize Israel's interests over Iran's. He recommended that Iran
cooperate with Russia in Syria, rather than confronting it. The
following are the main points of the interview:
"Iran-Russia ties are not considered a
comprehensive military alliance... Iran expects Russia not to prioritize
Israel over Iran. [Iran is aware] that Moscow views Israel in a
positive light and has no essential problem with it. Russia views Israel
as a player that can significantly benefit it bilaterally, regionally,
and internationally...
"[As for Iran], Moscow and Tehran have
shared bilateral and international interests, and particularly regional
interests, which have reached the point of military and operational
cooperation. But as far as the Kremlin is concerned, its ties with Iran
come at a heavy price [for instance, the economic punishments levied by
the U.S. for dealings with Iran]. Sadly, this has caused Israel, the
West, and the Arabs to succeed in casting a shadow on some [aspects of]
Iran-Moscow relations...
"Russia had considerable need for Iran at
the military phase cementing the status of the Syrian government. But at
the next phase, the diplomatic phase, Russia has a greater need for
players other than Iran. At this [stage] America, Europe, the Arabs, and
even Israel are important. Israel held discussions with the Russians
and promised that if Iran and Hizbullah retreated from the Israel-Syria
border, Israel would help [promote a political solution in Syria]. The
painful truth is that Iran is conspicuously weak when it comes to the
diplomatic stage [of seeking a political solution] in Syria, which gives
the Russians a more prominent role...
"Israel's objective is to expel Iran from
all of Syria, or at least drive it back from the Israel-Syria border.
The Russians want all foreign forces out of Syria – Iran, the U.S. and
Turkey. Iran has apparently agreed [to withdraw its forces] provided
that Syrian forces take their place. Some Iranian political institutions
regard this Russian [position] as a betrayal of Iran, although it was
clear from the start that along with the agreement between Iran and
Russia about combatting terror and maintaining the Syrian regime, there
were also disagreements between them on the Syrian issue. At the time,
they were silent about this, because cooperation was more essential...
The important point is that, sadly, if Russia or any other country
[finds itself] at a crossroads, [required to choose] between ties with
Iran or with the West, it will not hesitate to choose the West [over
Iran]...
"The Russians apparently do not think that
an agreement with Israel is necessarily at Iran's expense. They believe
they are acting as mediators to prevent confrontation between the two
sides in Syria. [As for] Iran-Israel relations, Russia is neutral,
[favoring] neither side...
"[Iran] needs to cooperate with Russia on
various issues. We cannot have rivalry or hostility with Russia, China,
or any other country vis-à-vis their relations with the West or with
Israel – because no player, not even Putin's Russia, wants to form a
military coalition [with us] against the West..."[1]
Reactions From Iran's Pragmatic And Reformist Circles
Pragmatic Daily Ebtekar: Iran Must Not Allow Itself To Be Depicted As A Player That Destabilizes Syria
In its May 31, 2018 editorial, the pragmatic Ebtekar daily
addressed the strategy Iran should adopt vis-à-vis Syria. It concluded:
"Iran can cooperate with all sides at the same time. When external
regional forces lead an initiative to reduce tensions in Syria, Iran
must not allow itself to be depicted as a player undermining stability,
and to become a target for American-Western negative propaganda. Perhaps
the optimal strategy for Iran right now is to cooperate with all the
players in the Syrian arena."[2]
Reformist Daily Ghanoon On Putin: "A Swindling Scoundrel"
On June 3, 2018, the reformist daily Ghanoon published
a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with Russian President
Putin, captioned "A Swindling Scoundrel" – apparently in reference to
Putin.
The
caption goes on to say: "The people expect that just as those in charge
shout about the excessive demands of America and the West and protest
against their support of Israel, the murderer of children, they will
also respond to these actions by Russia [i.e. demands that Iran withdraw
its forces from Syria] and skillfully implement the principle of
'neither East nor West', [thus] following in the footsteps of the
founder of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Khomeini]...[3]
"Russia
was not supposed to withdraw its support of Iran in the post-ISIS
period and sign a pact of brotherhood with Iran's major enemy, that is,
the Zionists – thus trampling the Iranian blood that has been spilled in
Syria. It seems that once again, the historic nature of the Russians
has been revealed – [their disloyalty and a willingness to again betray
[Iran]...
"Russian
elements have been speaking for a while now of expelling Iran from
certain areas in Syria... [But] Iran has invested efforts in Syria and
has paid a price, and it must extend its strategic border as far as it
serves its national might. Iran must not allow countries that think only
of their own interests to make decisions for it."[4]
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif: Iran Was Invited Into Syria And Iraq By Their Governments
Foreign
Minister Javad Zarif said at a May 23, 2018 press conference: "With
regard to the statements by Putin's representative in the matter of
Iran's withdrawing from Syria, it is true that this statement was
amended. But I must emphasize the Iranian position on this matter, which
was always explicit: Anywhere Iran has a military advisor presence –
whether in Iraq, Syria, or anywhere else – [this presence] is at the
invitation of that state, and with the aim of fighting terrorism. In
effect, Iran is the only country in the region, and in the world, that
is fighting terrorism, paying the price for doing so and sacrificing
martyrs. Iran arrived at the invitation of the countries of the region –
not like other countries, that came without permission. We will
continue our aid as long as these countries wish it. I believe that this
aid is for the good of the entire world, because the terror groups that
we are fighting with threaten the entire world."[5]
IRGC Spokesman
Baharam Qassemi: "No One Can Force Iran To Do A Thing... Iran Sets Its
Policy According To Its National Interests"
On
May 21, 2018, IRGC spokesman Baharam Qassemi told a press conference:
"Iran will remain in Syria as long as there is a need [for it to do so],
as long as there is a danger of terrorism in Syria, and as long as the
Syrian government asks it to continue its aid to Syria.
"With
regard to the Russian elements that said that foreign forces must
withdraw from Syria, and the question of whether it is possible for
Russia to force Iran to exit Syria – I must clarify that no one can
force Iran to do a thing. Iran is an independent state that sets its
policy according to its national interests in the region and in the
world. Iran is present in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian
government. Our main aim is fighting terrorism and suppressing terrorism
in Syria, so that Syria's sovereignty is preserved... Whoever comes to
Syria without the permission of its government and violates its
sovereignty must be the one to withdraw from Syria."[6]
Reactions From Iran's Ideological Camp
The following are several reactions to Russia's demand from Iran's ideological camp:
Ali Akbar Velayati, Senior Advisor To Khamenei: "Russia Cannot And Also Does Not Want To Force Exaggerated [Demands] On Iran"
Ali
Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Khamenei, said at a May 30, 2018
conference titled "The Eternal Lesson –Another Look At The Positions Of
The Leader in the Matter of the JCPOA": "One of the most important
things [with regard to Iran's foreign policy] is turning eastward [i.e.
towards Russia and China]. Unfortunately, those afflicted with the
Western disease and the fools [i.e. the reformist and pragmatic camps]
very much oppose this. Some [of them] say that Russia has broken past
promises. They should be asked whether Europe has fulfilled, with its
pure intentions, everything we wanted?! Every country operates according
to its national interests. In certain places, we have interests with
Russia and China, and we can cooperate. The Russians vetoed England's
cunning anti-Iran draft resolution regarding Yemen at the UN [Security
Council], and without a doubt did so explicitly and swiftly.
"After
America withdrew from the JCPOA, Putin met with [French President
Emmanuel] Macron, and at this meeting Macron talked a lot and said that
the JCPOA should be complemented by [other agreements] on the missile
issue and on [Iran's expansion] in the region. But Putin told him
explicitly that the missiles and the region[al expansion] were
completely unconnected to the JCPOA. Who of the Westerners are willing
to do something like Putin did? ...
"Russia
cannot and also does not want to force exaggerated [demands] on Iran.
We have defense cooperation with Russia, and Russia gave us almost
everything we wanted. The reactor that the Russians built was meant to
be built by the Germans, but they left after the [1979] revolution and
never made the smallest move [to compensate us]. But the Russians built
the reactor, and gave us things for which the Europeans would not give
us a single bolt.
"At
the height of the sanctions, China cooperated with us, and the volume
of our commerce reached $52 billion... Many years ago, at a meeting with
China's president, the leader [Khamenei] spoke about a [political] turn
eastward, and reminded us that we want strategic relations with China;
[China] also noted this point. The Chinese want to work in the oil
fields in the south, at Pars and Bazargan. Therefore, turning eastward
is the easiest way to be rid of the game of hide and seek with the West.
We must not be influenced by the propaganda of those afflicted by the
West and who love Paris more than Moscow."[7]
Hossein Sheikh Al-Islam, Advisor To Iranian Foreign Minister: "Russia Must Not Interfere In Syria's Internal Affairs"
Former
Iranian ambassador to Syria Hossein Sheikh Al-Islam, who is currently
an advisor to Foreign Minister Zarif, said on June 3, 2018: "We all know
that the Syrian government is the official government elected by the
parliament. We are there in accordance with an official invitation by
the Syrian government, [and our presence there] is compatible with all
the international laws and the UN Charter. It is the Syrian government –
and no other government – that determines who will be there and who
will not. Therefore, as long as the Syrian government and Iran want it,
the work of the [Iranian] military advisor will continue. It is clear
that both we and Russia want those who came to Syria on other pretexts
to leave it...
"Russia
must not interfere in Syria's internal affairs. Only the Syrian
government, and no one else, has the authority to determine who remains
and who will not. We must note that [Syrian] Deputy Foreign Minister
Faisal Miqdad stressed, after Russia's statements, that Iranian forces
and Hizbullah are in Syria at our [Syria's] request, and their presence
will continue...
"In
any event, Russia has a decisive role to play in stabilizing Syria, and
this began seven years ago, with the first resolutions initiated by the
West in the UN in the matter of [Iran's] intervention in Syria's
affairs – which Russia vetoed three times. [Russia's] air
force helped the Syrian government where necessary, and this was
because the Syrian government's air force was not precise, and
unfortunately, when it carried out bombing, some civilians were
mistakenly harmed. The Russian government, alongside Iran, helped the
Syrian government and army, and did not allow Syria to disintegrate.
"Russia
played an active role in fighting terrorism, because of its interests;
many of the terror elements came to Syria from regions in southern
Russia, and were trained, and then returned to Russia to carry out
[terror] operations. Russia came to Syria, undoubtedly, because of its
own national and regional interests, and not for us. In some places, we
succeeded in precisely defining joint interests with Russia and with the
Syrian government, including
[the interests of] destroying terror and preserving Syria's unity
stability and the region's security – and we cooperated in these issues.
If we again have joint interests, we will again collaborate. The Assad
regime and the Syrian government will decide whether to have closer
[relations] with Russia or with Iran – I am not deciding for them.
"Make
no mistake, we have not sacrificed martyrs in Syria in order to now
grab money [at their expense]. We sacrificed martyrs to protect Iran's
security. This does not mean that we will have no role in rebuilding
Syria. Previously, we played a very large role in the Syrian economy. If
you've ever been to Damascus, you've seen that most of the taxis there
[were made in Iran]. Once, we had a prominent role in the Syrian
economy, and this role will continue. The Western Satan wants to provoke
us and prevent our beneficial presence in Syria, so it is spreading
false rumors. You must know that Iranian companies have won more than
50% of Syrian electricity and water tenders. We built there a refinery
and a silo [sic]. Ten silos were built during my term as ambassador to
Syria. We have there companies for assembling [Iranian] Faraed and
Samand cars. We provide technical and engineering services for many
projects for building roads and so on. All these will continue. It is
not like after all this we will leave Syria and return [to Iran],
because the Syrians will not leave us."[8]
Gen. Kosari,
Deputy Commander Of IRGC's Tharollah Command In Tehran: If Russia "Wants
To Stand [Against Us], We Will Surely Stand Against It"
Gen.
Ismail Kosari, deputy commander of the IRGC's Tharollah Command in
Tehran, said on May 22, 2018: "I believe that Russia has not stood
against us in any matter, but if it wants to stand [against us], we will
surely stand against it – like we did against the USSR."[9]
IRGC-Affiliated Kayhan Daily: Israel And Russia Do Not Decide About Withdrawal Of Iranian And Hizbullah Forces From Syria
In its June 11, 2018 editorial, the IRGC-affiliated Iranian daily Kayhan, which
reflects the views of Iran's ideological circles, opposed the
withdrawal of Iranian forces and of Hizbullah from Syria. It stated that
Russia cannot decide for Iran on this issue:
"Iran's
military advisors, and Hizbullah forces, did not come to Syria with
Israel's or Russia's approval, and therefore the [latter] cannot decide
now about withdrawing them... It is inconceivable that there should be
any deal between any of the sides involved in Syria with regard to the
Iranian presence and the role of Hizbullah. This is because the policy
of the resistance axis is clear and independent, and insists on
non-reliance on other powers. Secret negotiations [between Russia and
Israel] cannot influence this principled policy. Furthermore, no side
can decide on Iran's policy and role in the region..."[10]
[1] Tasnim (Iran), June 5, 2018.
[2] Ebtekar (Iran), May 31, 2018.
[3]
"Neither East nor West" was a revolutionary principle of Islamic
Revolution founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini – that is, not to be
identified as either an American or a Russian satellite.
[4] Ghanoon (Iran), June 3, 2018.
[5] ISNA (Iran), May 23, 2018.
[6] ISNA (Iran), May 21, 2018.
[7] Tasnim (Iran), May 30, 2018.
[8] Majlis website (Iran), June 3, 2018.
[9] ILNA (Iran), May 22, 2018.
[10] Kayhan (Iran), June 11, 2018.
MEMRI
Source: https://www.memri.org/reports/criticism-russia-iran-russia-must-not-interfere-syrias-internal-affairs-if-russia-wants
Follow Middle East and Terrorism on Twitter
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
No comments:
Post a Comment