Iran's Supreme Leader has blamed the United States and Israel for Bashar Asad's regime fall in Syria. "There is no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American-Zionist plan," Ali Jameneí said in his first speech after Asad's escape.
However, the top Iranian authority assured that the events in Syria will not weaken their country and predicted that the Resistance Axis will expand further throughout the Middle East. The so-called Resistance Axis is an informal anti-Israeli alliance led by Iran and formed by Palestinians from Hamas, Lebanese from Hezbollah, Houthi rebels from Yemen, a myriad of militias in Iraq, and until now by Asad's Syria.
Meanwhile, Syrian rebels announced on Wednesday that they have taken "complete" control of the city of Deir al Zur in eastern Syria, the capital of the homonymous province, as they continue to advance in that area of the country.
Additionally, Israel continues to destroy Asad's army arsenal to prevent it from falling into the hands of uncontrollable groups, with new bombings against air defense positions, radars, and weapons and ammunition depots.
On another note, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that his country safely transferred Bashar Asad after being overthrown as the president of Syria. "He is protected, which demonstrates that Russia is acting appropriately in such an extraordinary situation," Ryabkov said in an interview with NBC News aired on Tuesday.
When asked if Russia would hand over Asad to be tried, Ryabkov replied that "Russia is not part of the convention that established the International Criminal Court," implying that his country will continue to support Asad.