Iranian Regime Officials Continue to Express Deep Fears Amid Regional and Domestic Challenges

Written by
Mahmoud Hakamian

In the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s fall in Syria and increasing internal unrest, Iranian regime officials and affiliated media have issued statements that reveal significant anxiety about the regime’s future.

While international media reported widespread celebrations of liberation across Syria, Iran’s state-run Farhikhtegan Daily claimed, “Syria has become a wasteland, and Damascus’s streets are plagued by looting.” The outlet further stated, “Today’s Syria reflects the future that the [Iranian] opposition envisions for Iran,” revealing the regime’s deep fear of parallels being drawn between the two nations.

Ali Khamenei, the clerical regime’s Supreme Leader, had consistently warned, “If we don’t fight in Syria, we’ll have to fight on our own streets.” Now, with Syria slipping out of Khamenei’s grasp, state media has ramped up efforts to deter Iranians from adopting revolutionary ideals.

Abdolrahim Ardestani, a member of the Qom Seminary Teachers’ Association, openly criticized Khamenei’s policies, saying, “We were never obligated to defend a ruthless dictator. The argument that we had to shift the battlefield to Syria to ensure our own safety is neither ethical nor defensible.”

Ardestani continued, “The state’s reasoning that Syria’s war protects Iran’s security has no moral, religious, or legal basis. Why should another nation’s people be at war for our safety? This is indefensible.”

The #Iranian Regime’s Role in Propping Up Bashar al-Assad in #Syriahttps://t.co/RlldRcZDFJ

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 19, 2024

Anticipating accusations such as “disturbing public opinion” or “propaganda against the system,” Ardestani justified his remarks by asserting, “If people are asleep, they need to be awakened.” He emphasized that the regime’s entanglement in Syria has caused undeniable harm to Iran.

During his speech on December 11, Khamenei warned state media and officials against what he described as “demoralizing the people,” stating that any negative reports about Assad’s fall would be treated as a crime and dealt with accordingly.

Meanwhile, former president Hassan Rouhani attempted to deceive the public with false statements about the aftermath of Assad’s fall. He claimed, “The current democratic image of Tahrir al-Sham is temporary, and Syria has difficult days ahead. Turkey’s smile will not last long either. The greater danger is that Syria could once again become a haven for ISIS and al-Qaeda, which may then threaten Lebanon tomorrow and Iraq after that. The terrorists aspire to return to the conditions of 2014.”

However, state-affiliated sociologist Hamidreza Jalaeipour warned of escalating instability in the region, stating, “No one thought Syria would face such a significant threat, or that Iraq’s threat might even reach Iran’s borders.” Highlighting domestic unrest, he added, “There is a deep divide between the government and the people. Polls during Mr. Raisi’s tenure showed that 90% of Iranians are dissatisfied with the current situation. If this continues, the outcomes are unpredictable.”

#Iranian Officials Respond to #Syrian Regime’s Fall, Exposing Deep Anxieties and Strategic Fearhttps://t.co/XrMEO0Hsj4

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 16, 2024

Ahmad Vahidi, former IRGC Quds Force Commander, admitted, “This is not an issue the government can handle alone,” while referencing “major challenges” facing the regime. He assured military readiness, saying, “There will be no negligence in this regard,” yet emphasized the need for “deliberation and timing.”

Former state broadcasting chief Mohammad Sarafraz painted a bleak picture of the regime’s economic and geopolitical situation. “With 1.8 million barrels of oil sold per day, half of the revenue is already allocated to military and institutional budgets. Optimism about sustaining this is misplaced,” he warned.

Speaking on state TV, Sarafraz also pointed to international shifts, saying, “European governments, once opponents of Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA, are now supporting nuclear sanctions. The next step could be the UN’s snapback mechanism and a return to global sanctions.”

As domestic protests and international pressures mount, Sarafraz outlined the regime’s dilemma: “The country is at a strategic decision point. Either this stage will lead to unforeseen and unpredictable events, as some are worried that the people might rise up again, leading to widespread protests… Such unknown and unfortunate events could follow one after another if the leadership does not manage the situation and make decisions. Either you do the revolution in governance, or you hand over this revolution to the people.”