NCRI - National Council of Resistance of Iran

Rafsanjani warns dire consequences of losing Syria

NCRI - Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president of Iranian regime  told a visiting Iraqi delegation that according to the mullahs' regime, the overthrow of Assad regime would have a dire impact on the Iranian regime's influence in Iraq.  " One of my concerns is the situation in Syria and the impact it would have on state of affairs in Iraq," he said.

"Syria should not become such that our way would be blocked.  We must have Syria. If the chain from Iran to Lebanon be torn, there would be precarious developments," Rafsanjani added.

A website in Iran reported on January 1 that Rafsanjani, a key player in the regime,  told the Iraqi delegation that he is aware that "the situation in Iraq is not as such that something  could be done to resolve" the crisis. however he urged the Iraqi delegation to "find a solution because this is paramount for the future."