Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei clearly said on Sunday that Iran does not need any proxy army. He made this statement at a time when Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah have suffered serious losses in the conflict against Israel. Also, Iran-backed groups have weakened in Syria and Yemen.
Khamenei’s statement
During a public meeting in Tehran, Khamenei said:
- “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not need a proxy army. Yemen is fighting because it has faith. Hezbollah and Hamas fight the war on the basis of their faith. They are not our proxies.”
- He stressed that:
- “If some day we have to take action, we will do it ourselves. We don’t need any proxy army.”
Accusations have been leveled against Iran
Iran has long been accused of using proxy armies in regional conflicts:
- Hamas (Palestine):
- Iran is believed to have strengthened Hamas to fight against Israel.
- Hezbollah (Lebanon):
- Iran has played an important role in supplying arms and money to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Weapons were delivered to Hezbollah through Syria.
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels:
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels are also claimed to be supported by Iran.
Changes in regional landscape
- Positions of Hamas and Hezbollah:
Hamas and Hezbollah have become weak in the struggle against Israel. - Syria:
- The Bashar al-Assad government, which was believed to be backed by Iran, is no longer stable.
- Yemen:
- Houthi rebels have been weakened by US and British air strikes.
Iran’s message and sarcasm on America
Khamenei took a dig at America, saying that:
- “They (US) say Iran has lost its proxy forces. This is another mistake of his.”
- According to him, Iran’s power based on faith and self-reliance does not allow it to need any proxy.
