What does the tour conducted by Khamenei's representative at the higher national security council Said Jalili to Iran's allies in the region, i.e. Lebanon, Syria and Iraq mean? Does it reveal Tehran’s difficult position and the collapse of the political cards with which it has been playing, thus requiring the activation of its cells and the mobilization of its allies in the region to transfer the confrontation to the regional arena in order to force the world to negotiate with it over its influence and guarantee its interests at the level of its nuclear program following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime? What does it mean for Iran to accuse Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey of being behind the kidnapping of the 48 Iranians in Syria, before recanting the accusation to these states and the denial of the fact that its kidnapped citizens are connected to the army, the Revolutionary Guard or the Basij forces, recognizing later on that they include retired military elements from the army and the Revolutionary Guard? Moreover, what were the latter doing amidst the daily incidents and confrontations between the regime and the revolutionaries? Were they fixing the electricity and providing water and food? Or were they tourists participating in the killing of the innocent?



Also, what does it mean for Iran to call on Islamic states to hold a consultative ministerial meeting in Tehran to discuss the developments affecting the crisis in Syria, 48 hours after Iranian President Ahmadinejad received an invitation from the Saudi monarch to attend the Islamic solidarity summit in Holy Mecca? And why did this call fail and was only met by ambassadors not ministers?



Were the signs of Hezbollah’s involvement not clearly seen following the arrest of former Lebanese Minister and Deputy Michel Samaha, who was planning to carry out explosions in Lebanon during Iftar ceremonies in the month of Ramadan and target political figures through the payment of sums of money to agents? Had the person who was trusted by Samaha, who was assigned to implement these explosions and who received money in exchange for the implementation not refused to take part in such a bloody act and exposed the secret, Lebanon, its sects and visitors would have fallen in the cycle of assassinations and accusations once again. The sources assure that Samaha became acquainted with this person (agent) a long time ago, and used to meet with him in the office of a senior Syrian security official. This means that the Syrian regime and its allies are suffocating to the point where tranquilizers are no longer useful.



Moreover, last Friday, Washington revealed activities carried out by Hezbollah in Syria, along with the key role played by the party at the level of the ongoing acts of violence seen at the hands of Al-Assad’s regime against the Syrian people. It thus accused Hezbollah of “offering training, advice and logistic support to help the Syrian government oppress the opposition in a fiercer way day after day,” of facilitating the training of the Syrian governmental troops by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and of playing an essential role in ousting Syrian oppositionists from Lebanon. Certainly, the party is not working alone and is implementing Tehran’s dictations.



I do not think that any political observer would be surprised by Iran’s eager defense of Al-Assad’s regime and its offering of support and advice to this regime, especially as it watches its strategic ally taking its last breath. Indeed, the end of Al-Assad’s regime would mean the collapse of Iran’s final platform in the region, which will weaken its positions, undermine its plans and enfeeble Hezbollah’s mini-state in Lebanon, thus burning the cards it continued to play and exploit to serve its agenda throughout the past years.



There is no doubt that Iran is currently going through an exhausting stage on the psychological level, following the retreat of the strength of its wide gate in Damascus. This will obstruct its ability to actively play on the arena of regional politics and at the level of the international negotiations the way it used to in the past, while the success of the Syrian revolution will burn some of its cards and paralyze Hezbollah’s roles that rely on it on the political and doctrinal levels and are merely implementing its agenda and ideology.



The Islamic nation is going through a dangerous historical stage and very critical times, due to the disputes, divisions, schisms and polarization between the Islamic countries that are unable to confront the challenges. Iran for its part, and ever since Ahmadinejad came to power – unlike the case under his predecessor Muhammad Khatami – is perceived as being a leading state in the provocation of conflicts and the increase of tensions and confrontations!



I believe that the call of the Saudi monarch on the Iranian president to attend the Islamic Solidarity summit in the Holy Mecca will only add further dissent and division, especially since the Syrian file is the main topic that will be discussed by the leaders, which will further burden the Arab and Islamic states.



In my opinion, and based on its current policy, Iran does not deserve to be invited, as it is carrying poisonous heads and states that provoke turmoil, strife and problems, in an attempt to increase the tensions in the region. In addition, the quasi-majority of the Arab states are complaining about its interferences, practices and plans, which is why it should have been ignored due to its negative positions and relations, as well as its blatant support in favor of a regime shedding the blood of the Syrian people without any mercy or humanity.





jameel@alhayat.com