Three-minute read
Four days after Bashar al-Assad’s sudden ouster, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emerged with a defiant speech today, December 11, aimed at bolstering the regime’s shaken power base. Despite widespread criticism from state media and officials urging a shift in Tehran’s regional strategy, Khamenei signaled no intention of changing course. Instead, his remarks revealed a desperate attempt to boost morale among his supporters, both at home and across the region, while portraying Iran’s setback in Syria as a temporary obstacle in a larger battle.
Khamenei dismissed the Syrian uprising and Assad’s collapse as part of a foreign plot orchestrated by the United States and Israel. “There should be no doubt that what happened in Syria is the product of a joint American-Zionist plot,” he declared. “Yes, a neighboring state played a clear role in this—everyone can see it—but the main orchestrators are America and the Zionist regime. We have evidence, and these indications leave no room for doubt.”
His rhetoric denied any acknowledgment of the Syrian people’s role in overthrowing Assad and ignored calls from within Iran’s establishment for a reassessment of the regime’s costly regional policies. Yet the urgency and tone of Khamenei’s speech betrayed a recognition of the deep demoralization among his power base, both domestically and in the region.
#Iran #News: Khamenei Rallies Basij Amid Fears of Protests and Pressure to Change His Regional Strategy https://t.co/L6oe0jFAu7
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 27, 2024
Attempting to frame the situation as a testament to the resilience of the so-called Resistance Front, Khamenei claimed, “This is resistance. The Resistance Front only becomes stronger under pressure. The more crimes you commit, the more motivated we become. The broader your battles, the wider the resistance grows. I assure you, with divine help, the reach of resistance will extend across the entire region like never before.”
While Khamenei tried to project strength, even some of his loyalists have acknowledged the scale of the strategic defeat in Syria. The regime’s support base, already weakened by economic struggles and domestic discontent, has grown increasingly doubtful of its regional adventures. Reports from state media and officials have highlighted the financial and human toll of Tehran’s involvement in Syria, with some questioning whether the policy was worth its cost.
Khamenei appeared acutely aware of the rising internal criticism. Lashing out at domestic and foreign media for their coverage, he warned, “Some are intent on demoralizing the people, portraying events in a way that spreads fear. This is a crime.” He accused foreign Persian-language media of “emptying the hearts of the people” and suggested stronger action against them, demanding that internal critics fall in line.
His remarks also included an improbable vision of a future Syrian resurgence under Assad, driven by Syrian youth. “The brave youth of Syria will liberate the areas occupied in Syria—rest assured this will happen. And with God’s help, America will also be expelled from the region by the Resistance Front.”
#Khamenei’s Post-Strike Address Exposes Fears of Regional Setbacks and Regime Insecurityhttps://t.co/CNStufiQYC
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) October 28, 2024
Notably, the speech was not broadcast live on state television—a rare decision that underscores the sensitivity of the situation and the regime’s careful management of its messaging. This deliberate choice reflects the precarious state of morale within Khamenei’s base, as any misstep in public communication could exacerbate their growing disillusionment.
In an apparent attempt to shift blame for the Syrian debacle, Khamenei claimed that Iranian intelligence had issued early warnings to Assad’s regime. “Our intelligence agencies had issued warning reports to Syrian officials months ago. I don’t know if these reports reached the top or got lost along the way,” he said. The comment highlights an effort to deflect responsibility while acknowledging a failure in communication, despite high-level visits by Iranian officials to Damascus in recent months.
Khamenei’s speech, far from presenting a coherent strategy, was a mix of defiance, denial, and morale-boosting promises. His insistence on doubling down despite mounting internal pressure reflects a regime determined to maintain its regional posture at all costs, even as its power base grows increasingly strained. The fall of Assad may have exposed cracks not just in Tehran’s regional ambitions but in the very foundation of Khamenei’s rule.
