"Iran and Assad have won in Syria", says the title of the article published by the Guardian. It refers to the opinion of the top Tehran officials, who believe that the west's strategy in Syria had merely encouraged radicals, caused chaos and ultimately backfired, with government forces now on the front foot.
"We have won in Syria," the Guardian quotes Alaeddin Borujerdi, chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee and an influential government insider. "The regime will stay. The Americans have lost it."
Amir Mohebbian, a conservative strategist and government adviser, said as quoted by the Guardian: "We won the game in Syria easily. The US does not understand Syria. The Americans wanted to replace Assad, but what was the alternative? All they have done is encourage radical groups and made the borders less safe. We accept the need for change in Syria – but gradually. Otherwise, there is chaos."
