U.S. taking revenge on Syria for defeats in Arab world: Supreme Leader

TEHRAN, Feb.1 (MNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that the United States is taking revenge on Syria for the defeats it has recently suffered in certain Arab countries. The Leader made the remarks during a meeting with the secretary general of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah, in Tehran on Tuesday. “The Americans and certain Western countries want to take revenge on Syria for their recent defeats in the region, including Egypt and Tunisia,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. If the developments unfolding in Syria are closely observed, it becomes clear that the United States has hatched a plot against Syria and “unfortunately, certain foreign and regional countries are involved in the plot,” he stated. The Leader added, “The main purpose of the United States’ plot in Syria is to deal a blow to the line of resistance in the region because Syria is supporting the resistance of Palestine and the Islamic resistance of Lebanon. “If the Syrian government promises the Americans that it will withdraw its support for the Islamic resistance of Palestine and Lebanon, all issues will be resolved.” Ayatollah Khamenei also said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s stance toward Syria is supporting any kind of reform in favor of the country’s people and opposing the interference of the United States and its allies in Syria’s internal affairs.” Shallah said that the West is seeking to undermine Syria, which is on the front line of the resistance in the region.