Egyptian Analyst: West Seeking to Hit Iran through Stirring Tension in Syria, Region

TEHRAN (FNA)- A leading Egyptian analyst and journalist warned that the West is striving to stir unrests in Syria and spark sectarian rift among the Shiite and Sunni Muslims in a bid to undermine Iran's influence in the region.
Speaking to Al-Ahram daily, Mohamed Hassanein Heikal warned about the West's possible military intervention in Syria, and said "waging a war on Syria under the current conditions will entail dire consequences and unprecedented events."

"I am worried about certain comments made by some Arab countries about Syria as their words seem to be paving the ground for a military intervention in that country.

"Of course, some of the events which take place against Syria have Iran as their main target in the Middle-East," Heikal stressed.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, were killed, after some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.

Syrian state TV has also broadcast reports and images of seizure of arms caches and confessions by terrorist elements, and displayed how they obtained weaponry from foreign sources.

Heikal also pointed to the West's plot to sow discord between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the region, and cautioned that such efforts aim to push Iran into isolation.