Reuters: The Fall of Aleppo and the Consolidation of Iran's Influence through the 'Shia Crescent'

Iran has played a decisive role in the Syrian regime's military campaign to crush the resistance of rebels in Aleppo and is now approaching the consolidation of the 'Shia Crescent' and expanding its influence from the borders of Afghanistan to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Reuters reports that commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and senior clerics in Iran praised what they describe as the 'defeat of Wahhabi terrorists' in Syria this week, considering it a setback for the main supporter of the rebels, the Saudi Arabian government. There is no doubt that the capture of Aleppo is a significant victory for Bashar al-Assad's government, and it can be said with almost certainty that this victory would not have been possible without Iran's financial and military support and the dispatch of Shia fighters by Iran to assist the Syrian government forces. Iran's important role in the fate of the Aleppo war became clear on Wednesday. The Iranian government effectively delayed the evacuation of areas under rebel control by imposing its conditions. According to sources from the Syrian rebels and the United Nations, Iran demanded that the evacuation of the rebels in Aleppo be accompanied by the simultaneous evacuation of the wounded from two cities besieged by the rebels. By intervening in the long-standing civil war in Syria and providing military and financial support to Bashar al-Assad's regime, Iran has not only influenced the outcome of this war but has also strengthened its regional influence. For the first time, Iran can exert its influence over a broad area of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. The expansion of Iran's influence is in direct confrontation with the Arab and Sunni powers in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia, which has long warned about the dangers of Iran's expanding influence. In addition to the capture of Aleppo, the advances of the Shia government in Iraq in liberating Mosul should also be considered, where Iranian-backed forces play a significant role. Thousands of Shia fighters trained by Iran and fighting alongside Iraqi government forces previously fought alongside Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria and have promised to return to Syria if necessary. Iranian-backed Shia militias are fighting to capture the city of Tal Afar between Mosul and the western borders of Iraq with Syria, and if they capture these areas, Iran's unimpeded access to a route leading to the Mediterranean coast will be guaranteed. Iran has had extensive influence in Lebanon for years and intervenes in its politics through Hezbollah, the most powerful political and military force in the country. Hezbollah also fights alongside government forces in Syria. The consolidation of Iran's influence through the 'Shia Crescent' will significantly enhance Iran's regional power. At the same time, by expanding its influence in Syria and Lebanon, Iran can pose greater threats to Israel. From the Iranian government's perspective, the continued threat from Israel in these regions is the main deterrent against any Israeli aggression towards Iran. The increase in Iran's regional power will impose heavy political, military, and economic costs on the Sunni powers in the region. However, some experts believe there is no guarantee that Iran can maintain this large scope of regional influence. Experts and diplomats familiar with the Middle East situation point to the important role of IRGC commanders in the Syrian civil war and the advances of Shia forces and the Iraqi army. They state that Iran's performance in equipping and mobilizing its affiliated forces has been very successful, as the Iranian government has more experience than its rivals, including Saudi Arabia, in forming affiliated forces and proxy wars. At the same time, another factor in Iran's success has been the full support of Ayatollah Khamenei and the hardline faction of the government for the military intervention in the Syrian civil war and promoting it to a segment of public opinion in Iran. These factions, which always speak about external threats to Iran's existence, have managed to portray the battlefield in Syria or Iraq as part of Iran's legitimate campaign to defend its existence. According to diplomats, justifying wars that occur outside Iran's borders and do not result in Iranian casualties is easier. By transferring the battlefield to expand its influence outside its borders, the Iranian government has largely succeeded in keeping the sufferings and hardships of war away from its people. In this context, the United Nations: The Syrian government must prevent retaliatory attacks in Aleppo. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: The evacuation of Aleppo has been delayed for unspecified reasons. Russia: The Syrian government has taken control of eastern Aleppo. Syrian rebels have reached an agreement with Moscow on a ceasefire in Aleppo.