​​​​​​​Researcher in Iranian affairs: Soleimani's killing is harsh blow to Iranian influence

The relations between the United States of America and Iran are witnessing a major crisis against the background of the assassination of the United States, Deputy Head of the "Popular Mobilization Forces" Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and Commander of "Quds Force" in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani, at the dawn of Friday, with missile strikes on their convoy near Baghdad International Airport.

Hawar news agency (ANHA) held an interview with the researcher in Iran Ph.D. Hani Suleiman, who talked about the American and Iranian escalations, and the impact of the killing of Qassem Soleimani on the Iranian regime.

Hani Suleiman said: "I think that Soleimani 's killing will have severe effects in the next stage, given that he is not an ordinary person and not an ordinary leader, but that his capabilities are strong in the process of expanding Iranian influence, he considers important as Rouhani figure, and has balances in the regional environment and great relations and he founded many militias inside Iraq, Syria, and some other countries.

From this standpoint, Suleiman said, I think that Iran will not easily tolerate the killing of Soleimani, especially since it is a completely different American measure contrary to the new American strategy, but it is linked to Iranian accounts, as it is well aware of Washington's seriousness this time.

Regarding the prospect of a forthcoming confrontation between the United States and Iran, Hani Suleiman said: "I think that the confrontation will be close, there are various movements of the United States by sending special forces to Lebanon to protect American interests, in conjunction with movements of Iranian militias in Iraq, which are trying in its turn to take revenge for Soleimani and his companions.

He noted, "The atmosphere is highly tensioned, so I think if there will be confrontations, it will be through targeting interests, and perhaps Iranian militias may target American elements."

Commenting on the internal atmosphere in Iran, the expert in Iranian affairs said: "Iran is witnessing internal conflicts in the current period, the Revolutionary Guard and Khamenei prefer military escalation against Washington, but Rouhani and Zarif prefer to calm things down and manage them politically away from these tensions in this period."

He added: "The United States justified targeting Soleimani saying that she had reports talking about a meeting in Deir - ez-Zor city or that Soleimani was planning an attack on American forces, I think these are convincing reasons for the international community, especially under the shadow of Article 219 that classifies Soleimani and his militia as terrorist."

Hani Suleiman noted that Iran had lost a lot with Soleimani’s killing by looking at the influence and its relations, and given the exposure of Iranian leaders through targeting in this way, and therefore Iran is in a critical position of not being able to maintain the leaders as Soleimani.

Hani noted that Iran entered a new "difficult and big" stage by entering a confrontation and a direct challenge with the United States of America, "I think we are now facing a difficult test for the Iranian regime."

Hani indicated that Soleimani’s killing negatively reflects on Iranian influence, and in her political scene inside as well. He added: Soleimani had a great influence in Aleppo and al-Bukamal city after its liberation with the leaders of the Russian operations, so his death would lead to the end of Iranian influence inside the Syrian territories.

During his talk about the end of the new Hezbollah project in Syria, the expert in Iranian affairs revealed, "Soleimani's killing means the end of the new Hezbollah project in Syria. I think all of this may be threatened now, so there is a need to cross this stage inside and reset the Quds Corps that focuses on it." The Iranian regime. "

In discussing the effects of the American and Iranian escalation on the region, Soleiman said, "Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen are burning countries that cannot bear more. I think that things will be good in the coming period. There may be an escalation in the coming period from Iran and will not stop idly in light of conflicts of interests and in light of its desire to organize its regional influence that exploits sectarianism and the use of religion policy and its desire to shade the revolution.

The researcher on the Iranian issue and the Executive Director of the Arab Center for Research and Studies, Ph.D. Hani Suleiman, ended his speech by saying, "Iran is determined and is going to confirm this equation and this symbolism and status, but Washington will not allow it within the limits of the rights of American interests. I believe that things will ignite in the coming period and will witness tensions and their impact will be close to the Arab countries.

T/S

ANHA