Syria’s Next Chapter: Iran Reshapes its Influence

In the early phase of the Syrian civil war, Iran denied the presence of its forces on Syrian soil despite evidence to the contrary. Later, Tehran was forced to confirm its involvement, justifying it under the banner of “Modafean-e Haram”  (defenders of the shrine), claiming to protect the Shi’a holy site of Sayyida Zaynab’s shrine in Damascus. Yet Iran’s deep entrenchment in Syria went far beyond religious symbolism—it was a strategic foothold that Tehran defended at enormous cost, sacrificing thousands of its forces in the process.