US concerned over global expansion of Iran Revolution

Washington is afraid that nations might follow the model of the Islamic Revolution, he told The Tehran Foreign Policy Studies Quarterly.

“Before the onset of the crisis [in Syria], the US insisted that Syria act against the axis of resistance and Iran. But we never agreed to enter such an atmosphere.”

Ever since World War II, the US has only succeeded in creating challenges to the world and destroying countries, Assad said.

Epicenter of fight against terrorism

The Americans, he added, wanted for the Syrian government to be replaced with a vassal state, which would easily hand the country over to the West.

Had such a scenario materialized, the rights of the Syrian people would have been ignored and the way would have been paved for eventual Western dominance over the Middle East region, he said.

While thanking Iran for its contribution to Syria’s resistance in the face of terror, the Syrian head of state also said that, “Now, Syria has turned into the epicenter of the fight against terrorism in the world. What is happening in Syria today would impact the world’s political map.”

The Islamic Republic has been providing advisory support for Syria’s defense of itself against foreign-backed militancy, which began in 2011.

Assad also said Turkey is an agent of the US and acts as a tool of the American foreign policy.

He also said that, while negotiating with terrorists “was not the right thing to do,” one would have to do it if talking to the terrorists helps stop bloodshed.

He also said the Syrian government had granted full amnesty to anyone who did lay down their arms.

KD