Aug 29, 2013

TEHRAN, Iran — Until the afternoon of Aug. 28, there had been no clear Iranian position on the possibility of a military strike on Syria. According to an Al-Monitor source in Tehran, the Iranians were, of course, assessing the situation, weighing their options and preparing their files in accordance with the latest developments. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, was said to have had all the plans on the table when he met at an undisclosed time with top Revolutionary Guard Corps officers and his closest military advisers. The source acknowledged, “There is a hot line to Hezbollah’s leadership in Lebanon and the Syrians,“ stressing that the “resistance bloc“ has been expecting this moment since the beginning of the crisis in 2011.

The first move by the Iranians was toward their most powerful allies, the Chinese and the Russians, sending a clear message to both countries on Aug. 26: “Iran will stand by Syria till the end. We’ll stand by our alliance even if you decide to give up. We are with Syria until the last breath.” That message was followed by several other steps, including talking directly with countries able to convey messages to the United States and the United Kingdom.

Al-Monitor's source offered, “Iran is famous for its cold-hearted diplomacy, and that’s why they were slow, but sure, in their moves.” He further explained, “Those threatening Syria heard an unambiguous message: The scale of such a war can’t be controlled, and Iran and its allies in the region won’t let Syria fall.”

On Aug. 26, it was reported that UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, a former US diplomat, had asked the Iranians to remain calm in the event of strikes against Syria. Iran took the warning seriously and began looking for ways to prevent Damascus from suffering such an attack.

“The Americans are saying the strike will be limited and is essential for the restoration of the balance of power before going to Geneva II,” the source told Al-Monitor. “Iran won’t give its blessing for such a strike and will exert any type of pressure to stop it, but if it happens, then we’ll do what’s appropriate.”