Ali Akbar Velayati, Khamenei’s advisor in political and international affairs, described the Iraqi people’s uprising against Maliki as ‘enemy measures’, adding the Iraqi government has the ability to confront these rallies.
“The government of this country is strong and has proven its abilities,” he said in an interview with Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
“We know the enemies of the Iraqi people will not remain silent, but Nouri Maliki’s government will confront its enemies with full capability,” Velayati added.
“The overthrow of Assad is a red line for us,” Velayati said in another part of his remarks, describing the survival of the mullahs’ rule as tied to the fate of Syria’s dictator.
“The main reason for our focus on Syria is to maintain the line of resistance. If we allow Assad to be set aside, this line will be breached. For example, senior Syrian opposition member Burhan Ghalioun said in Istanbul if we gain power, we will cut-off relations with Iran,” Velayati added.