The regime of Tehran, which was pleased to be a power that counts in the region, is now disputed in Iraq, Lebanon but also in Syria.
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Chronic. For the first time, Iran is disputed in its Arab "dominions". Wherever the Islamic Republic has a decisive influence in the Arab world, it is now in the hot seat – in Iraq, in Lebanon, but also in Syria. How do you say "rejection" in Farsi? Weakened inside by the American sanctions, the Iranian theocracy is denounced outside. For interference in his "near abroad".
Slogan heard during the popular mobilization that Iraq has been experiencing for two months: "Iran outside". Number of Lebanese think no less in the processions of protest which for two weeks hold the street from north to south of the country of Cedar. Back of the baton: Not so long ago, the Tehran regime was proud to be a powerhouse from the Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean. Thanks to its local support, it has this "Shiite highway" which, without toll for the Iranians, ensures the route Tehran-Baghdad-Damascus-Beirut.
Historians will argue that today's setbacks are the inevitable setback of hyperactive regional-imperialist diplomacy, some say. Since its rise in 1979-1980, the Islamic Republic has been attacked from all sides.
Torchbearer of the Muslim world Shiite, the minority branch of Islam, she has forged links with the co-religionists of her Arab neighborhood. It has come to the rescue of Shiite communities martyred (in Iraq during the time of Saddam Hussein) or marginalized (in Lebanon). It has signed defense agreements with the Alawite minority (supposed to be close to Shiism) in power in Syria. Mostly Sunni, the Arab regimes saw it as an attack on what they believe to be their right to a natural preponderance in the region. The old antagonism between Persians and Arabs is never far away.
A way of right of veto
Iran paid the price of blood. He was attacked by the Iraq of Saddam Hussein (1980-1988). But the invasion of the latter country by the US military in 2003 served the interests of the Islamic Republic. It brought the Iraqi Shia Arab majority, represented by parties and militias under Tehran, into power in Baghdad. The wars of Lebanon and, in particular, the occupation of the south of this country by Israel (1982-2000) ensured the emergence of the Hezbollah-militia party, politico-military base of the Lebanese Shiites and today the dominant force in Beirut .
