Debate over Iranian influence in Iraq and Lebanon and Soleimani’s role

Back then, when Soleimani came,

he would tell them,“ So- and- so will become prime minister.”

Of course, now after Soleimani… the whole issue has gone astray.

This is considered— considered Iranian sovereignty.

Why?- Why?- May I clarify?- No, no,

just let me finish.- Why can I not clarify? - What I have,

what I have—- I also have- a lot.- Let me

get it all out.- I also have— Let me get it all out.- Let him finish, Dr. Ibrahim.

Let him finish.- The point has been made.- No, it has not, it has not been made,

no, no, the point has not been made. You are done. You are not allowed to enjoy

what you do not want for your big neighbor— and not even a small

neighbor— whenever you like.

It is true that the invasion by the Americans gave Iran free rein in Iraq,

just like in the Achaemenids’ habit:

the plateau comes down to the plain whenever they grow weaker.

That is true, I agree with you.

America is the one that brought Iran in, or made it easy for it,

of course unintentionally.

But if Iran wants to live in peace,

then let there be peace for everyone,

and the first step to peace is for it to withdraw from Iraq and Lebanon.

The point has been made, Doctor.

It was a good meeting. Notice that there…

Two points I ask not to be interrupted on,

the first point is that those who support and arm the opposition outside

the country in Iran are states doing that,

and we know who most of them are, mostly Arab states,

but also Israel and the United States.

Jundallah, which they pointed to,

killed many members of the security forces

in the month of January alone.

These people are directly supported by states in the region,

this is clear to Iranians,

but in the broader context let me explain,

because if we mix everything together

and say that the region and Iran,

that there is no region and Iran, this narrative that Iran exports its system,

if Hezbollah wanted to take control of the system,

it would have swallowed Lebanon, and if Iran wanted to do that,

it would have swallowed it.

Please do not interrupt me.— He tried,

he tried and could not— and now if he tries again he also will not be able to do

that— the issue is within this framework— the issue is within this framework.— This

is unacceptable talk.— And this talk that Iran is trying to control the Arab states,

as if those acting in these countries were Iranians, is a problem.

This rhetoric makes Iraqis who lean toward Iran enemies, but does not make

enemies of Iraqis who lean

toward the Americans and the Israelis,

and the Lebanese who lean toward Iran are traitors, but the Lebanese who

serve American and Israeli policy… The issue is not about leaning,

doctor, the issue is not about leaning— this division,

this division— The issue is not about leaning, please allow me, allow me,

and it is not a flaw in Iran that a Lebanese or

an Iraqi let their alliance with it affect things at the expense of its enemies.

The issue is not about leaning, about doing