TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran and Syria, who both are facing pressure from the United States, said Wednesday they will form a united front to confront possible threats against them, state-run television reported.
"In view of the special conditions faced by Syria, Iran will transfer its experience, especially concerning sanctions, to Syria," Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran's first vice president, was quoted as saying after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari.
"At this sensitive point, the two countries require a united front due to numerous challenges."
The report did not specifically mention the challenges, but both countries are under U.S. economic sanctions and the targets of intense American pressure.
The United States has accused Iran of seeking to produce nuclear weapons, while relations with Syria have deteriorated, especially since Monday's assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Many Lebanese blamed Monday's car bombing in Beirut on Syria, but the Syrian government has denied responsibility. Washington is recalling its ambassador from Syria in apparent response to Hariri's killing.
Washington also accuses Syria of aiding anti-Israeli militants and supporting insurgents in Iraq.
Tehran and Damascus have been strategic allies for years. Syria was the only Arab country that continued its warm relations with Iran during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.
I believe that Syria is having a hard time dealing with the US pressure. Syria is in-experienced in this matter. I think the Syrians will crack to the pressure much easier than Iran will. They pay a lot of attention to what they say about the US. They always stay away from using hostile language with the US, as opposed to Iranians.
I feel that my country, Lebanon, is being and will be use as a channel for the US to engage in much more pressure on Syria. Already a wide anti-Syrian sentiment is felt across Lebanon as a result of what happened Monday. Today, 2 Syrian workers in the south of Lebanon were beaten by a small crowd.
Monday’s event is proving to be against Syria’s interests in the near future.
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I don't know what to make of my country in regard to foreign policy anymore. The U.S. was wrong to pull its ambassador from Syria. Either make the accusation or don't. That was a cowardly move on the part of the U.S. IMO. The U.S. is also highly motivated to remove Syrian influence and troops from Lebanon, yet the European Union and Soviets don't share the concern. This is all starting to smell a bit of Iraqitis all over again. It seems clear as clear can be that the current U.S. administration sees little or no merit in simply minding its own business.
The current U.S. administration has a plan to restructure the Middle East and spread democracy. They started with Iraq, and now it seems that Lebanon is next on the list. I think this just arose only since Monday. The US job in Lebanon is the easiest compared to other Arab countries, because all democratic infrastructure is there. There are already parliamentary elections every four years, and presidential elections every six years. The only obstacle is the Syrian presence and influence which they are starting to address recently.
In this conflict, I think the US can count on France as an ally. But also can expect Russian and Chinese opposition who both support Syria. This should be very well handled.
I think that the calling of the US ambassador in Syria is a warning sign. There was another message today from William Burns (Ass. Sec. of State for the M.East) who also demanding full and immediate Syrian compliance with UN resolution 1559.
Yeah, you might want to pull your Benz into the hole also. American troops were going out of their way to destroy every decent car they encountered in Iraq.
No, I didn’t mean that the US will actually use troops and engage in physical combat with Syrian forces on Lebanese soil. They will use diplomatic pressure and sanctions to force the Syrians to withdraw. Using American troops is absolutely off the agenda.
If I was you and I thought the Americans are on the way to bring you "democracy", I would start digging myself a very big hole to crawl into.
Where did it go wrong for S. Hussein?
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No, I didn’t mean that the US will actually use troops and engage in physical combat with Syrian forces on Lebanese soil. They will use diplomatic pressure and sanctions to force the Syrians to withdraw. Using American troops is absolutely off the agenda.
yeh right!
Syria is part of the axis of evil and bastion of tyranny... perfect ocasion to tie up that end of things..
as to the original post:
man, seems that US is working double time to strengthen Iran's position in the middle east... first Iraqi elections now pulling amb. out of syria and effectively pushing those two to collaborate... mission accomplishe mr prez, i say... wtf???
No, I didn’t mean that the US will actually use troops and engage in physical combat with Syrian forces on Lebanese soil. They will use diplomatic pressure and sanctions to force the Syrians to withdraw. Using American troops is absolutely off the agenda.
yeh right!
Syria is part of the axis of evil and bastion of tyranny... perfect ocasion to tie up that end of things..
as to the original post:
man, seems that US is working double time to strengthen Iran's position in the middle east... first Iraqi elections now pulling amb. out of syria and effectively pushing those two to collaborate... mission accomplishe mr prez, i say... wtf???
Syria and Iran have been collaborating for many years (late 1980s). It’s not something new; they had a common enemy who was Saddam Hussein, and are allies ever since. So all this news about these 2 countries joining forces is a pure re-iteration and reminder of something already there.
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