Iran's military leadership is grappling with the sobering reality of their failed strategies in Syria, as articulated by Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati in a recently surfaced audio recording. The general candidly stated that the loss of influence in Syria is a heavy blow to Iran, which had anticipated a more robust foothold in the region.
In his speech delivered at a mosque in Tehran, Esbati did not shy away from detailing the strained relationship between Iran and Assad leading up to his removal from power. He emphasized the difficulties faced when Assad refused requests for Iranian-backed militias to establish a front against Israel following recent escalations in conflict.
Importantly, he also highlighted a concerning lack of collaboration with Russia, another supposed ally, alleging that Russian officials misled Iran about military operations against Syrian rebels and failed to provide adequate support as Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iranian assets in the country.
Esbati's statements reflect a candid acknowledgment of the challenges Iran faces, as he declared, “We took a very big blow and it’s been very difficult.” This revelation resonates with the growing concerns about Iran's waning influence and the shifting dynamics of power in the war-torn region as the full impact of Assad's fall continues to unfold.
