QUIETLY, away from the resonant slogans once championed by the Iranian regime and its supporters, we say the dramatic changes in Syria and the situation with Tehran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah should serve as a lesson for those who persist in reshaping the region by exporting the Iranian revolution, replacing sectarian beliefs, and seeking to rule the Arab world on sectarian grounds, all while dreaming of reviving the “Persian glory” that was dismantled by the force of pure Islamic righteousness, untainted by sectarianism.
When some Iranian officials boasted about ruling four Arab capitals, they failed to recognize that the systematic oppression and financial support they provided to militias and factions in the Arab world were backfiring on them in Iran itself. They did not see that the realities on the ground were far removed from their illusions. They could not understand that the billions spent on sectarian groups have not benefited them; instead, they led to defeats, losses, international isolation, and growing internal resentment. The Syrian revolution has shown that, following the vision outlined by the leader of the transitional state Ahmed al-Sharaa, the religious beliefs of the Syrian people cannot be altered by any external force.
When some Iranian officials boasted about ruling four Arab capitals, they failed to recognize that the systematic oppression and financial support they provided to militias and factions in the Arab world were backfiring on them in Iran itself. They did not see that the realities on the ground were far removed from their illusions. They could not understand that the billions spent on sectarian groups have not benefited them; instead, they led to defeats, losses, international isolation, and growing internal resentment. The Syrian revolution has shown that, following the vision outlined by the leader of the transitional state Ahmed al-Sharaa, the religious beliefs of the Syrian people cannot be altered by any external force.
It has proven that Syria’s sectarian diversity will never be used to undermine its unity. This diversity, which has historically been a source of strength for Syria, was valued long before the rise of the Baath Party. Changing the superficial features of some mosques does not alter the essence of faith or the unity of Arab Syria. The tomb of Sayyida Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her), which is visited with reverence by both Sunni and Shiite Syrians, illustrates the deep belief of the Sunni Syrian people in her as a symbol of injustice, much like the suffering endured by the Syrian people under Baathist rule.
Syrians shared in the victimization of Sayyida Zainab, as they too endured over six decades of dictatorship, governed by risk-averse leaders who came to power through coups or with the support of military tanks. Thus, the claims of the corrupt Iranian regime, which sought to prevent Sayyida Zainab from being “captivated” twice, only served to fuel sectarian conflict, which was always supported by both the Iranian regime and the Baath Party.
In the early morning of December 8, all false hopes were shattered, and the undeniable truth of Arab Syrian identity was revealed. Today, signs of great change are beginning to emerge, particularly in Iraq’s attempts to break free from the Persian hegemony over Baghdad, which was known as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, the intellectual hub of the Islamic world for six centuries, and the center of the Islamic world itself. These efforts toward liberation began with the removal of the images of Iranian regime leaders and some of their agents from the streets of Baghdad.
While it is true that escaping this Persian invasion has come at a great cost in the form of bloodshed, destruction, hunger, and poverty, affecting Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, only Yemen’s capital Sanaa remains under Iranian control today. However, in the way of a domino effect, once the first stone falls, the others follow until the round is complete. What is happening today in Yemen clearly shows that the Houthis face a grim fate at the hands of the Yemeni people. What happened to the fascist Baathist regime in Syria will be repeated in Yemen. Sham (Syria) must serve as a lesson for Tehran to study carefully.
Tehran is living on a “hot plate”, with the people have suffered for 45 years due to a group of short-sighted individuals who sought to steer the region in a direction far removed from reality. Yet, the great Iranian people remain alive, vibrant with youth, and capable of breaking free from the medieval regime they are trapped under. Starting with Syria, known since ancient times as the “pulsating heart of Arabism”, the Arab giant has begun to stir. The Iranian regime of chaos must come to terms with the fact that the game is over.
Syrians shared in the victimization of Sayyida Zainab, as they too endured over six decades of dictatorship, governed by risk-averse leaders who came to power through coups or with the support of military tanks. Thus, the claims of the corrupt Iranian regime, which sought to prevent Sayyida Zainab from being “captivated” twice, only served to fuel sectarian conflict, which was always supported by both the Iranian regime and the Baath Party.
In the early morning of December 8, all false hopes were shattered, and the undeniable truth of Arab Syrian identity was revealed. Today, signs of great change are beginning to emerge, particularly in Iraq’s attempts to break free from the Persian hegemony over Baghdad, which was known as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, the intellectual hub of the Islamic world for six centuries, and the center of the Islamic world itself. These efforts toward liberation began with the removal of the images of Iranian regime leaders and some of their agents from the streets of Baghdad.
While it is true that escaping this Persian invasion has come at a great cost in the form of bloodshed, destruction, hunger, and poverty, affecting Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, only Yemen’s capital Sanaa remains under Iranian control today. However, in the way of a domino effect, once the first stone falls, the others follow until the round is complete. What is happening today in Yemen clearly shows that the Houthis face a grim fate at the hands of the Yemeni people. What happened to the fascist Baathist regime in Syria will be repeated in Yemen. Sham (Syria) must serve as a lesson for Tehran to study carefully.
Tehran is living on a “hot plate”, with the people have suffered for 45 years due to a group of short-sighted individuals who sought to steer the region in a direction far removed from reality. Yet, the great Iranian people remain alive, vibrant with youth, and capable of breaking free from the medieval regime they are trapped under. Starting with Syria, known since ancient times as the “pulsating heart of Arabism”, the Arab giant has begun to stir. The Iranian regime of chaos must come to terms with the fact that the game is over.
Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
