Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged Syrians to oppose the newly formed rebel-led government following the departure of President Bashar al-Assad. Speaking on December 22, Khamenei described the uprising as orchestrated by Western powers, calling on Syrian youth to resist those responsible for the instability.
Assad fled Syria on December 8 after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions, some linked to Turkey, overran government forces. Assad was granted asylum in Russia. HTS leader Riad al-Asaad has since announced plans to unite factions under a transitional government, pledging to protect the rights of all Syrians.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on December 22. Meanwhile, Tehran has faced regional setbacks, including the weakening of allied groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Khamenei dismissed claims of Iranian proxy forces, asserting Iran acts independently when needed.