Iran warns US: You will lose in Middle East
Syria and Iran stress United Front

February 19, 2007

The United States will not achieve its goals in the Middle East, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned today on state television.

"Realities in the region show that the arrogant front, headed by US and its allies, will be the principal loser in the region," the broadcast quoted Khamenei as saying in a meeting with Syrian president Bashar Assad.

Assad left Iran today after a two-day visit to discuss Iraq and other regional issues with senior Iranian officials, including Khamenei and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

During his visit, Assad accused the US and Israel of trying to harm the regional positions of Iran and Syria by raising questions about their roles in Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine.

"Through effort and co-ordination we have to enlighten public opinion about the ominous aims of the US and Zionists," said Assad.

Ahmadinejad expressed similar concerns when he accused the US and Israel of targeting Islamic countries under the pretence of achieving peace.

"They imply that they are pursuing peace and security in the region, however they want to improve their and the Zionists' position in the region and hit Islamic countries," Ahmadinejad said.

The US has accused Syria of not doing enough to prevent militants from crossing its border into Iraq and has blamed Iran for supporting Shiite militias in attacks that have killed American troops.

US officials also accuse Iran and Syria of interfering in Lebanon and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through supporting Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which are considered to be terrorist groups by the US.

Iran and Syria have long been close allies. During the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, Syria was the only Arab country to support Iran.

During the past 10 years, Iranian companies have invested heavily in Syria, in sectors such as power generation, motoring, cement and agriculture.