In a surprising speech, Iran’s Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati openly characterized the recent ousting of Assad as a major defeat for Iran, revealing tensions within the governmental stance on the conflict.
Iranian General Acknowledges Significant Loss in Syria, Contradicting Official Narrative
Iranian General Acknowledges Significant Loss in Syria, Contradicting Official Narrative
Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati admits Iran's defeat in Syria, diverging from government officials downplaying the situation.
In a departure from the official narrative upheld by Iranian leadership regarding the recent regime change in Syria, Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati has candidly acknowledged a substantial defeat for Iran. His comments, delivered in a mosque in Tehran, highlight the internal conflict over Iran's involvement and future presence in Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad.
The general's remarks come at a time when Iran's officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, have attempted to minimize the impact of Assad's removal, claiming it will defer to the will of the Syrian people. however, Esbati's declaration paints a different picture, stating unequivocally, “I don’t consider losing Syria something to be proud of... It’s been very difficult.”
He noted that the relations between Iran and Assad had soured in the months leading up to his removal. This tension arose particularly around Assad's refusal to approve requests for Iranian-supported militias to initiate operations against Israel, especially after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which further complicated Iran's military strategies in the region.
Esbati pointed fingers at Russia as well, accusing its leadership of misleading Iran regarding the military situation in Syria. He claimed that Russian forces had falsely assured Iran that Russian jets were actively targeting Syrian rebel positions, while they were not. Moreover, he criticized the Russian military for allegedly turning off radar systems during Israeli strikes on Iranian assets in Syria, effectively compromising Iran's operational security.
The candid admission by General Esbati raises questions about the future of Iran's influence in Syria and its military operations in the region, as the Iranian leadership grapples with a narrative that both acknowledges defeat while striving to maintain its geopolitical foothold amid increasing turmoil.
The general's remarks come at a time when Iran's officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, have attempted to minimize the impact of Assad's removal, claiming it will defer to the will of the Syrian people. however, Esbati's declaration paints a different picture, stating unequivocally, “I don’t consider losing Syria something to be proud of... It’s been very difficult.”
He noted that the relations between Iran and Assad had soured in the months leading up to his removal. This tension arose particularly around Assad's refusal to approve requests for Iranian-supported militias to initiate operations against Israel, especially after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which further complicated Iran's military strategies in the region.
Esbati pointed fingers at Russia as well, accusing its leadership of misleading Iran regarding the military situation in Syria. He claimed that Russian forces had falsely assured Iran that Russian jets were actively targeting Syrian rebel positions, while they were not. Moreover, he criticized the Russian military for allegedly turning off radar systems during Israeli strikes on Iranian assets in Syria, effectively compromising Iran's operational security.
The candid admission by General Esbati raises questions about the future of Iran's influence in Syria and its military operations in the region, as the Iranian leadership grapples with a narrative that both acknowledges defeat while striving to maintain its geopolitical foothold amid increasing turmoil.
