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Iran–Syria relations refers to the diplomatic, commercial and cultural ties between Iran and Syria. Full diplomatic relations were established in 1946.[1]
Early history
editIn the 1960s and 1970s, observers recognized a cold peace between Iran and Syria. Even so, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi saw Syria as a menace to the region because of its relationship with the Soviet Union and support for radical Arab movements. The Baathists in Syria, who seized power in 1963, claimed parts of Iran (specifically Khuzestan) to be an integral part of Greater Syria. The Shah considered Syria to be a threat to Iran's national and security interests. [2] The Syrians viewed the Shah as an "instrument" of American imperialism and undermining Arab aspirations.[1]
Syria and Iran are strategic allies. Syria is often called Iran's "closest ally",[3] the Arab nationalism ideology of Syria's ruling Baath party notwithstanding. During the Iran–Iraq War, Syria sided with non-Arab Iran against its enemy Iraq and was isolated by Saudi Arabia and some of the Arab countries, with the exceptions of Libya, Lebanon, Algeria, Sudan and Oman.[4] Iran and Syria have had a strategic alliance ever since, partially due to their common animosity towards Saddam Hussein and coordination against the United States and Israel. Syria and Iran cooperate on arms smuggling from Iran to the Hisbollah in Lebanon, which borders Israel[5].
On June 16, 2006 the defence ministers of Iran and Syria signed an agreement for military cooperation against what they called the "common threats" presented by Israel and the United States. Details of the agreement were not specified, however Syrian defense minister Najjar said "Iran considers Syria's security its own security, and we consider our defense capabilities to be those of Syria." The visit also resulted in the sale of Iranian military hardware to Syria.[6] In addition to receiving military hardware, Iran has consistently invested billions of dollars into the Syrian economy.[7] The Syrian leadership, including President Assad himself, belongs predominantly to the Alawite branch of Shi'a Islam. Currently, Iran is involved in implementing several industrial projects in Syria, including cement factories, car assembly lines, power plants, and silo construction. Iran also plans to set up a joint Iranian–Syrian bank in the future.[8]
On February 17, 2007, Presidents Ahmadinejad and Assad met in Tehran. Ahmadinejad afterwards declared that they would form an alliance to combat US and Israeli conspiracies against the Islamic world.[1]
During the 2011 Syrian uprising, Iran has aided the Syrian government. The Guardian has claimed that in May the Iranian Republican Guard increased its "level of technical support and personnel support" to strengthen Syria's "ability to deal with protesters," according to one diplomat in Damascus.[9] Iran reportedly assisted the Syrian government sending it riot control equipment, intelligence monitoring techniques and oil.[10] It also agreed to fund a large military base at Latakia airport.[10] The Daily Telegraph has claimed in August that a former member of Syria's secret police reported "Iranian snipers" had been deployed in Syria to assist in the crackdown on protests.[11] According to the US government, Mohsen Chizari, the Quds Force’s third-in-command, has visited Syria to train security services to fight against the protestors.[12] In late June Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stated in regards to the uprising: “In Syria, the hand of America and Israel is evident;” and in regards to the al-Assad regime: “Wherever a movement is Islamic, populist, and anti-American, we support it.” Other Iranian officials have made similar pronouncements identifying the US government as the origin of the uprising.[12] However, in late August, the Iranian government gave its "first public sign" of concern over Syrian's handling of its crisis when foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi issued a statement including the Syrian government in the list of states he urged to “answer to the demands of its people.” [13]
other sources - http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=260341
References
edit- ^ a b Goodarzi, Jubin M. (2009). Syria and Iran : Diplomatic Alliance and Power Politics in the Middle East. Tauris Academic Studies. p. 13. ISBN 978-1845111274.
- ^ Goodarzi, Jubin M. (2009). Syria and Iran : Diplomatic Alliance and Power Politics in the Middle East. Tauris Academic Studies. p. 12. ISBN 978-1845111274.
- ^ google search
- ^ http://iranprimer.usip.org/sites/iranprimer.usip.org/files/Iran%20and%20Syria.pdf
- ^ http://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/politik/article13871292/Iran-sucht-neue-Schmuggelwege.html welt.de, in german
- ^ Iran, Syria sign a further defence co-operation agreement – Jane's Defence News
- ^ Swaminathan, Satya. "Syria's Diplomatic History with Iran". Global Forum Journal. 3(Spring 2007): 28. http://issuu.com/not_sure/docs/globalforumjournal.
- ^ http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=115798§ionid=351020102
- ^ Iran helping Syrian regime crack down on protesters, say diplomats| Simon Tisdall and foreign staff in Damascus| guardian.co.uk| 9 May 2011
- ^ a b Iran agrees to fund Syrian military base| By Con Coughlin| 12 Aug 2011| telegraph.co.uk
- ^ Iran sees support for Syria essential to fend off U.S., Israeli 'wolves'| By Rob Crilly and Robin Pomeroy, Daily Telegraph And Reuters| 16 August 2011
- ^ a b How Iran Keeps Assad in Power in Syria| Geneive Abdo| 29 August 2011
- ^ Iran Calls on Syria to Recognize Citizens’ Demands| By NADA BAKRI| nytimes.com| 27 August 2011