Rouhani: Iran is the Only Hope for Neighboring Countries in the Fight Against Terrorism

The President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, referring to the Islamic Republic's assistance to the governments of Syria and Iraq, stated that the Iranian armed forces are the "only hope" for other neighboring countries in combating "terrorism" and that these countries should not think that great powers will defend them. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Rouhani made these remarks on Tuesday, September 31, during a military parade commemorating the anniversary of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, calling the Iranian armed forces the "largest anti-terrorism force." He emphasized that if terrorism spreads in other neighboring countries, their only hope would be the Iranian army, the Revolutionary Guard, and the Basij, and they should not expect great powers and Western powers to protect them. Rouhani also addressed some countries that he claimed are "wrongfully oppressing their neighbors," stating that if terrorists seek to undermine them, only the armed forces of the Islamic Republic can "eradicate the terrorists." His comments could be interpreted as a reference to Saudi Arabia and its military intervention in Yemen. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been Iran's main regional rival on various issues, including the crises in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. The Islamic Republic openly supports the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and has been accused of providing military support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Conversely, Saudi Arabia supports opposition groups and rebels in Syria and backs the government of Mansour Hadi, which has been ousted from the capital by the Houthis. Following the escalation of conflicts in Iraq and Syria, several members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard have been killed in these countries, and Iranian officials have stated that their forces are present there as military advisors. On the same day, several commanders of the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian army emphasized support for the Syrian government. For instance, Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan, commander of the army's ground forces, stated: "We cooperate with friendly countries, including Iraq and Syria, and if they request military assistance from us, we are ready to provide it." Meanwhile, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Force of the Revolutionary Guard, also stated that Iran "has always been and will be alongside the resistance." Yahya Rahim Safavi, a military advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, referred to Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq as Iran's "strategic depth" and stated that "political wisdom dictates that we eliminate ISIS right there." The Islamic Republic of Iran refers to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as other Palestinian groups opposed to Middle East peace, and the Syrian government as the "resistance front" against Israel.