Valiati: The Islamic Republic Holds an Important Position in the Region, Not Domination

Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on international affairs, referred to what he called "Iran's important position and influence in many countries in the region," stating, "This position does not mean domination over affairs or an attempt to dominate other countries." In an interview with the Fars news agency published on Friday, December 28, he added that "no other country can dominate another by sending forces to a foreign country" and stated, "Iran has never had such a foundation, which is contrary to its constitution." Velayati's remarks come as some political figures in the Islamic Republic claim Iran's dominance over certain countries in the region. Alireza Zakani, a conservative representative from Tehran in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated in September of this year, "Iran currently has three capitals: Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut, and in the future, Sana'a will also become part of Iran's capitals." However, Velayati asserted that the Islamic Republic "has the capacity to help solve these problems due to its very good relations with various groups of people in many countries in the region and good relations with many regional governments," emphasizing that "this means influence, meaning Iran is in a position to help solve problems." The international advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei considered the Islamic Republic's support for the "heroic resistance of the people of Palestine and Lebanon" to be based on this premise and added, "In Iraq, we have always defended national understanding, national sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of that country, and whenever the people and government of Iraq have asked us for help, we have responded to that request to the extent of our capabilities." Velayati stated that "we also support the legal government and people in Syria," but while saying "the Syrian people themselves must solve their problems," he added that "some of our friends went there to defend the lives, property, and honor of the Syrian people." Hezbollah Lebanon, the largest militia group in Lebanon and an ally of the Islamic Republic, is officially fighting in the Syrian civil war in favor of Bashar al-Assad, the president of that country. Iran denies the presence of its military forces in Syria, but numerous reports of the deaths of IRGC forces and commanders in that country have been published in the Islamic Republic's media. Videos of these forces' presence in Syria have also been broadcast on international news networks. So far, more than 200,000 people have been killed in the Syrian civil war, and hundreds of thousands more have been injured or displaced. Regarding Yemen, Velayati stated that the situation there is "completely different," but at the same time denied any Tehran intervention in Yemen's events. He said that "widespread corruption in the Yemeni government system led to the people's uprising" and added, "This gradually prompted parts of the Yemeni people to react. They managed to take control of the situation while being severely besieged." The head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council also added that Yemeni opponents "are optimistic about the Islamic Republic of Iran and wish to have good relations." The Shiite Houthi militants, who call themselves Ansar Allah, have been engaged in conflict with the central government in Yemen and also with al-Qaeda-linked militants for years. A delegation from this group visited Iran in October of this year, during which Velayati asked them to play a role in Yemen "similar to Hezbollah in Lebanon."