Iran’s political and military leaders have condemned calls for Western military intervention following reports of chemical weapons use in Syria. Military action would drag the Middle East into “the abyss of violence and conflict,” warned Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on August 27. Some leaders have outlined potentially dangerous repercussions for the United States. “Syria will turn into a field of slaughter and a fiasco much more dangerous than Vietnam,” said Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.
But President Hassan Rouhani and other top officials have also taken strong stances against the general use of chemical weapons, remembering the repeated use by Iraq during the 1980-1988 war. The following are excerpted remarks by top Iranian diplomats, military officials, politicians and clerics on Syria.
Military Officials
Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ali Jafari, Revolutionary Guards commander
“The U.S. opinion about its ability to limit a military intervention to Syria is nothing more than an illusion. The reactions will go beyond Syrian borders.
“Just as U.S. meddling in the Muslim world has led to the spread of extremism, violence and terrorism, attacking Syria will intensify the spread of extremism.”
Aug. 31, 2013 to the press
“Despite numerous bitter experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Americans, in case of a military measure against Syria, will complete the domino effect of their failure and will experience the most shameful historical defeat. Syria will turn into a field of slaughter and a fiasco much more dangerous than Vietnam…
“The world’s people, especially regional Muslims, have not forgotten America’s false excuse for [its] military attack against Iraq.”
Aug. 28, 2013 in an interview with Tasnim Student Agency
Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan, defense minister
“Sowing the seeds of warmongering and violence has never resulted in lasting peace and security. [The United States wants to launch strikes] to rebuild the shattered morale of terrorists, weaken the operational capability of the Syrian armed forces and change the balance of operation in the favor of takfiris [Islamic extremists].”
Sept. 2, 2013 to the press
Brig. Gen. Esmail Kowsari, member of parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission
“America does not [have the courage] nor the capability to attack Syria. Although, perhaps, it may be able to begin a war in a limited fashion, and this possibility is also unlikely. It will certainly not be the decision-maker of the war’s end.”
“Any measures based on attacking Syria will bring the occupying Zionist regime and Western-supported Arab countries to their deaths more quickly, so they do not commit such acts easily.”
August 30, 2013 in remarks to journalists
Politicians
Hassan Rouhani, president
“We completely and strongly condemn use of chemical weapons in Syria because [the] Islamic Republic of Iran is itself victim of chemical weapons.”
Aug. 27, 2013 in a tweet via @HassanRouhani
“Any action on the Syrian crisis should be based on international law, lead to more stability in region and reduce terrorism. The Middle East doesn’t need another war.”
Aug. 28, 2013 in a tweet via @HassanRouhani
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader
“U.S. intervention in Syria or any other country will turn into a disaster for the region. The region has turned into a gunpowder stock. The United States’ intervention means nothing but warmongering and acts like a spark in a stockpile of gunpowder.”
Aug. 27, 2013 in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet
Ali Larijani, parliamentary speaker
“The Americans do not see the wave of popular hatred of their warmongering policies and still pursue military action against Syria.
“They say they have evidence of the use of chemical weapons so why are they not presenting this evidence to the Security Council?”
Sept. 1, 2013 in an address to parliament
“It is impossible for the Americans to prepare themselves in a span of a few days for military operations in Syria. They began their work several months ago and this measure was designed earlier, just like the 33-day war [2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah].”
Aug. 30, 2013 in remarks to journalists
Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, Expediency Council chairman and former president
“It seems that the main target of U.S. adventurism in the region is not restricted to Syria, but it involves the entire Middle East region… their dangerous warmongering game could engulf the entire region.”
Sept. 1, 2013 during an Expediency Council meeting
Ayatollah Mohsen Mojtahed Shabestari, Assembly of Experts member
“If a war begins in Syria, this country will turn into a graveyard for American and Israeli forces.
“America seeks war to preserve the Zionist regime, but before any action it [should] know that in case of invading Syria, Tel Aviv and the Zionist regime [are finished].”
Aug. 30, 2013 in a sermon
Diplomats
Mohammad Javad Zarif, foreign minister
“Iran, as a victim of chemical weapons, cannot in any way tolerate the use of chemical weapons. Iran is also not prepared to tolerate a group of countries… invading the region under an excuse… and drag it into the abyss of violence and conflict.”
Aug. 27, 2013 in an interview with Iranian state television
“Only the U.N. Security Council, under special circumstances, can authorize a collective action… Mr. Obama cannot interpret and change the international law based on his own wish… warmongering is not in the interest of anyone.
“Using force has very dangerous consequences… which are not within the control of the initiator.
Sept. 1, 2013 in a phone conversation with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias José Jaua Milano
“In that memo [sent via the Swiss embassy to the United States in late 2012 or early 2013], we warned that extremist groups may use the chemical agents. The Americans never replied to the memo.”
Sept. 1, 2013 in an interview with Iranian weekly Aseman
Marziyeh Afkham, foreign ministry spokesperson
“The Arab League [adopting this] position [calling for action] before the official announcement of the United Nations inspectors’ report shows that it is politically-motivated and a pre-determined judgment.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that remarks and measures must focus on preventing the spread of the crisis and the region from entering into a phase for which no end is imaginable.”
Sept. 2, 2013 to the press