Iran-End of Year 3

Tehran, Center of Regional and International Consultations

The last Iranian year was the year in which the Islamic Republic played very vital role in bringing back security and stability to the region. Preservation of regional security is among the definite policies of the Islamic Republic. Iran's regional strategy is based on cooperation and coordination with nations.

The Islamic Republic believes that the security of the region can be gained without any foreign intervention. But this is not to the interest of the US and interventionist and invading powers. Political analyst, Dr. Sajjad Abedi, said, "The developments on the field in Syria have changed regional equations to the extent that experts speak of formation of a new order in West Asia. The result of such a condition was to hold Astana summit without the presence of the countries which supported terrorism. Although these talks continue in Geneva, and, in the future rounds of talks, Europeans may play more roles, currently the field situation in Syria has caused trans-regional players gradually leave West Asia and their allies in the region."

West Asia has gone through different phases for the past half a century. The first phase was based on conflict between regional countries and the meddling of trans-regional powers via appointment of a gendarme for the region. After the gradual omission of Britain, the United States of America became interested in this model and designated the Shah of Iran as its main stooge in the region. However, the second phase began with George W. Bush.

As per his doctrine, trans-regional powers, like the US and Britain, through direct military intervention, tried to determine the order of the region directly rather than resorting to proxy method. Their justification for direct intervention was not limited only to internal conflict but a self-made phenomenon: terrorism. But their repeated defeats in recent years caused them to focus mostly on proxy wars via terrorism to advance their sinister goals. Political observers maintain that, with regard to the very vital and important role of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in Syria and Iraq, we are witness to formation of a third model in the regional order. According to this model, a regional power like Iran, is strong enough to restore stability to the countries beleaguered by foreign-orchestrated wars and has the power to even take other regional and trans-regional powers, like Turkey and Russia, with itself.

For the recent decades, different conspiracies have been hatched in the region by the west, spearheaded by the US. The US military interference increased its influence in the region on one hand, while the security of the region was affected by trans-regional relations and destructive military and security rivalries. Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, said, "America intends that the region won't see calm so that the governments and nations of the region will be engaged with themselves in order not to think of confronting the wicked lackey of Arrogance, i.e. Zionism."

The US's regional strategy in the face of the Islamic Republic is based on curtailment and total omission of Iran from the regional equations. To achieve this objective and dominate over the economic resources and strategic situation of the region, the United States uses every diplomatic and military tool. But, Iran has stood firm against this current as it considers the security of its neighbors as its own security. In view of this, the Islamic Republic of Iran was the first nation that answered positively to the call of the Syrian nation and government to fight terrorists.

In view of this cooperation and interaction among friends, Tehran hosted the Syrian President Bashar Assad in the waning days of 1397. Bashar Assad came to Tehran to thank Iran for its unflinching supports for Syria against the savage terrorists. Ayatollah Khamenei told to the Syrian president that the resistance of the Syrian president and people were the mystery of victory for Syria and defeating the US and its puppets in the region. The Leader stressed vigilance against next plots. He added that Iran and Syria are the strategic depth of one another and the identity and power of the Resistance current depends on this continuous and strategic bond. Hence, the enemies will fail to put their schemes into effect.

The United States, in complicity with its allies, has tried for many years to push the developments of the region in its favor, namely, cement its control over energy resources and maintain the security of the usurper Zionist regime in Tel Aviv. Military intervention, formation of and support for terrorist groups, waging of proxy wars and so on are some of the projects for affecting the developments of West Asia. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized on principles like negation of any foreign interference in the region.

Therefore, the Islamic Republic has fought against warmongering policies of big powers in the region. This principled policy was also stressed during the visit of the Armenian Premier, Nikol Panashian to Tehran. Ayatollah Khamenei, considering friendship and cooperation between the countries to the benefit of both countries, saying, "Of course, the Americans are completely unreliable and they are everywhere pursuing sedition, corruption, difference and war and they are opposed to the relations of Iran and Armenia and the interests of nations; but we are duty-bound to strengthen our cooperation and relations." The Leader also stressed that the continuation of talks between Azeri and Armenian sides will resolve the issue of Karabagh and that the Islamic Republic is ready to help in this regard.