Iran’s Regime can’t help itself.  But the Leader is rudderless without Syria in the Shia Crescent.  “Syria’s new rulers warn Tehran: Stop creating chaos,” Iran International, 12-24-24.  “Syria’s new foreign minister warned Iran to refrain from “spreading chaos” in Syria after a call by Iran’s ruler for Syria’s youth to rise up against the country’s new Sunni Islamist leaders. “Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and the country’s sovereignty and security. We warn them from spreading chaos in Syria and we hold them accountable for the repercussions of the latest remarks,” Assad Hassan al-Shibani’s said on X. His remarks, made on Monday, are the most direct and public warning by Syria’s new rulers to Tehran since the fall of Tehran’s ally, President Bashar al-Assad. The reaction follows calls from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei On December 22, who said: “We predict that a strong and honorable movement will emerge in Syria, as the Syrian youth now have nothing to lose. “Their schools, universities, homes, and streets are unsafe, so they must stand resolutely against those who design and execute insecurity and overcome them with determination.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former rebel leader who now holds power in Syria, had previously criticized the Islamic Republic for its meddling in Syria by participating in the civil war since 2011, supporting the decades-long Assad dynasty. He blamed Iran’s military presence and its allied militias which supported Assad for the death and displacement of millions of Syrians. However, this is the first time Syria’s new officials have openly responded to remarks by Khamenei and other Iranian officials who oppose the group who deposed al-Assad in record time, and are now receiving international support. Iran sided with Assad in the early days of a popular movement in Syria demanding a change of government. Soon Tehran began deploying troops and fighters to defend the government against protesters and rebels. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians died in the ensuing 13-year civil war. … Last week, Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria’s opposition had “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years,” signaling a major shift in Syria’s stance toward Iran.”

To curry favor.  Only a matter of time before the restrictions are reinstated.  “Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, state media says,” Reuters, 12-24-24.

This kind of attitude from the NYT continues to miss opportunities to lead Iran to change from being a revolutionary cause.  The NYT also blames the 2016 Trump administration of taking steps (leaving the JCPOA) that resulted in Iran’s reinstating its drive toward nuclear and pulling out of the deal’s requirements, but the NYT is wrong on this also.  Iran pulled out because Iran decided it needed the blackmail and the power.  Don’t believe this critique of the NYT?  Then consider this, this article equates the two countries presidents as being the decision makers, but everyone, everyone knows that the Iranian Supreme Leader is supreme and is the decision maker in the Regime.  In fact, the NYT doesn’t even mention the Supreme Leader, a real oversite.  See “Trump Will Confront a More Vulnerable but Determined Iran,” NYT, 12-24-24.