Rare admission: IRGC general acknowledges strategic loss in Syria exclusive report

In a rare public admission, Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acknowledged that Iran had suffered a significant strategic defeat in Syria.

His candid remarks, delivered last week at a Tehran mosque, have contradicted the official narrative maintained by Iranian leaders, sparking widespread attention and debate.

An audio recording of the speech was published by the Geneva-based website Abdi Media on January 6.

General Esbati described the challenges Iran faced leading up to the downfall of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted by rebel forces last month, Caliber.Az reports citing the New York Times.

“We have suffered a serious strategic defeat in Syria,” he said, highlighting strained relations between Tehran and Damascus in the months preceding Assad’s fall.

The general revealed that one of the primary sources of tension was Assad’s refusal to open a front against Israel following the October 7 Hamas attack. He accused Russia, a key player in the Syrian conflict, of misleading Iran by claiming its airstrikes targeted rebels. “In reality, Russian aircraft were bombing wastelands,” Esbati alleged.

Additionally, Esbati accused Russia of facilitating Israeli strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria. He claimed that during these operations, Russia “switched off radars,” effectively allowing the attacks to proceed unhindered.

Despite these setbacks, General Esbati maintained that Iran intends to continue its activities in Syria. “We will continue to operate inside Syria and are exploring ways to recruit rebels to our cause,” he stated.

The remarks have drawn attention not only for their directness but also because of Esbati’s prominent role within the IRGC. As the commander responsible for Iran’s military operations in Syria, he coordinated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense and Russian military officials, holding significant authority over Iran’s regional strategy. His position is regarded as higher-ranking than that of General Ismail Ghaani, the commander of the Quds Force.

Esbati’s comments also come in stark contrast to the official stance taken by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who have downplayed the implications of Assad’s ousting. The Iranian leadership has stated that they will respect any political outcome decided by the Syrian people, portraying a less dire view of the situation.

The publication of the speech has reportedly stunned Iranians, both for its frank assessment and the implications it carries for Iran’s future strategy in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova