Khamenei says US, Israel played ‘primary’ role in toppling Assad’s regime in Syria

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei accused the US and Israel of orchestrating a regime change against the Alawite government of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Khamenei made his first public statement on the historic developments in Syria over the past week, which culminated in the ouster of Assad’s government following the dramatic capture of Damascus by opposition forces.

“What happened in Syria was the product of a joint plan by the US and the Zionist regime,” he said.

“Yes, a government neighboring Syria played and is playing a clear role in this. We see this,” he added, without explicitly naming the country, though he was referring to Türkiye.

However, he emphasized that Iran has evidence identifying the US and Israel as the “primary architects” behind the toppling of Assad’s government.

He asserted that the axis of resistance will emerge stronger despite the mounting challenges in the current circumstances.

“I tell you this, with God’s help, the expanse of the resistance will, more than before, encompass the whole region,” he declared as the crowd erupted in chants of “Death to the US” and “Death to Israel.”

He criticized individuals who fail to recognize the strength of the "axis of resistance," warning that its weakening would directly harm Iran.

“I tell you this, with God’s help, a strong Iran is powerful and will become even more powerful,” he concluded.