Jan. 11 – Iran’s most senior general in Syria said that the Islamic Republic had been “defeated very badly,” following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime.
The comment, which was made by Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati, added that Iran took “a very big blow” in a recording of a speech, according to the New York Times newspaper.
The comments contradict the official line by Iran’s leaders, who have continued to downplay the significance of Assad’s overthrow to the regime.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia group in Yemen has received more weapons from the Iranian government, which Yemen’s army said could allow the proxy group to attack Israel and shipping in the Red Sea for “years to come,” according to the Telegraph newspaper.
Speaking to the Telegraph, a spokesperson for the army said the supplies were an escalation and “clear evidence that Iran is increasing its support for the Houthis after the weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah and the fall of the Assad regime in the region.”
And growing protests in Iran by workers and retirees have called out government corruption and oppression, as well as the country’s economic crisis, in a direct threat to the regime’s stability.
The protests have been attended by retirees and workers from several sectors including the education, metal and telecommunications sectors.
The demonstrations have been taking place across Tehran, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, and Shush with laborers calling for better economic and social conditions, as well as regime change.
