Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today cautioned that the regional countries who neglect their youth as a source of stability and authority risk succumbing to turmoil similar to that experienced by Syria.
While the leader did not explicitly name any specific country, his remarks are widely seen as an implicit reference to Iraq, which is currently facing external pressure regarding the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd Al-Shaabi in Arabic.
This comes as pressure has intensified on Iraq in recent weeks, particularly following an unexpected visit to Baghdad by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on December 13th. The focus of that visit, although not explicitly stated, is believed to have included discussion surrounding the future of the PMF, a coalition of state-sponsored paramilitary groups that played a key role in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS).
It should be noted, this is occurring alongside a planned visit from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shiaa’ Al-Sudani to Tehran next week. Al-Sudani is scheduled to meet with top Iranian officials to discuss regional developments. The scheduled high-level meeting highlights the sensitivity of the situation and the close relationship between the two countries.
The Iranian Leader’s address also extended beyond Iraq, with specific comments made in relation to Syria. He declared that Syria belongs to the Syrian people and that “those who have aggressed against it will ultimately retreat in the face of the country’s zealous youth”.
Furthermore, the Iranian leader emphasized that “Lebanon and Yemen stand as symbols of resistance, ultimately achieving triumph” over external challenges and interventions.
In a clear denunciation of U.S. foreign policy in the region, he stated the “enemy”, led by “criminal America”, will be compelled to abandon the region and “depart in disgrace”.
