Iran’s Khamenei Holds U.S. and Israel Responsible for Assad’s Ouster

Iran"s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Tehran.

The remarks were Khamenei's first since Assad fled the country for Russia on Sunday in the face of a shock rebel advance, but offered little indication of what Iran's next strategic move would be after suffering the epochal setback, The Caspian Post reports, citing Iranian media.

"There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan. Yes, a neighboring country of Syria has played a clear role in this regard, continues to do so even now-this is evident to everyone. But the main conspirator, the primary planner, and the central command rooms are in the US and the Zionist entity," he said in his first remarks on the Syrian uprising since Assad's departure on Sunday..

"The aggressors I mentioned each have their own motives. Their goals are different-some seek to occupy land in northern or southern Syria, while America aims to solidify its foothold in the region," Khamenei added.

"These are their objectives, and time will show that, God willing, none of them will achieve these goals. The occupied regions of Syria will be liberated by the brave Syrian youth; have no doubt, this will happen," he said.