Iranian Government Television Did Not Broadcast Khamenei's Speech Live; Scheduled Program Released by Public Relations

Despite continuous propaganda in recent days about a "significant speech" by Ali Khamenei, which was said to address important points regarding developments in Syria, his remarks were not broadcast live on any of the Islamic Republic's television networks. Instead, some of his points were released in a drip-feed manner with uniform spacing by state news agencies. In this context, the Public Relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting announced minutes after Khamenei's speech began that the "decision regarding live broadcasting" of the Supreme Leader's remarks is made by Khamenei's office, and the Islamic Republic television is "subject to the decision of the public relations office" of Khamenei. The lack of a live broadcast of Khamenei's speech in the current regional conditions, following the fall of the Islamic Republic's "strategic ally" in Tehran, indicates concerns among officials in the Islamic Republic who wish to control potential reactions. The long-term military, political, and security presence of the Islamic Republic in Syria to maintain Bashar al-Assad's regime was based on Khamenei's "analysis," which resulted in billions of dollars of Iranian people's investments being spent to preserve Assad under the guise of "defending the shrine," a topic that has always faced opposition from large segments of Iranian society. In the released sections of Khamenei's speech, sent to state media by his public relations office, he repeated his past analyses and, without mentioning the decades of violent repression of the Syrian people by the Assad family, described the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad as an "American-Zionist plot" in which "a neighboring country of Syria" also played a role. Khamenei referred to analysts who believe that "Islamic Iran has weakened" as "ignorant and unaware of the meaning of resistance," stating: "I say... Iran is strong and powerful and will become even more powerful." In another part of his selected remarks, Khamenei referred to the opponents of Assad, who currently control Syria, saying that "this current group will not last long" and predicted that "Syrian youth will rise up." The Supreme Leader claimed that Iran's "security apparatus" had informed Bashar of this situation since September. Khamenei's remarks indicate that the Islamic Republic still harbors plans for intervention in Syria. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday, December 20, in a video message published on the "X" network about the potential cooperation of the new Syrian regime with the Islamic Republic. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is inclined to establish relations with the new regime in Syria, stating: "If the new regime in Syria allows the Islamic Republic to re-strengthen its positions or allows their weapons to be transferred to Hezbollah, we will respond decisively, and they will pay a heavy price." Bashar al-Assad's regime was a key link in what the Iranian government calls the "Axis of Resistance" in the Middle East, and its fall has significantly weakened the Islamic Republic's regional influence. Netanyahu added: "We intend to prevent any threats that arise from Syria." He also stated that he has allowed the Israeli Air Force to target the strategic capabilities of the Syrian army. The extensive Israeli attacks on strategic weapon depots and military equipment in Syrian territory have been confirmed by Russia, which rejected the possibility of Assad's extradition. The transitional government called for the establishment of "stability and calm" in Syria, while the U.S. expressed hope for a change in the "failed" approach of the Iranian government. Netanyahu's warning: the Islamic Republic's presence in Syria will face a decisive response. The "Arrow of the Habbashan" operation; Israel's heavy attacks on Syrian weapon depots. A Telegraph report indicates increasing disputes within the Revolutionary Guards following Assad's fall. The U.S. states that it is monitoring the activities of the "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham."