Iran neither has nor needs any proxy in West Asia: supreme leader

TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the country neither has nor needs any proxy in the West Asia region.

He made the remarks at a meeting in Tehran in response to claims that Iran has lost its proxies in the region, calling such claims "propaganda and psychological warfare" against Tehran, according to a statement published on his website.

Khamenei said Iran needs no proxies should it seek to take any action, noting that resistance forces in the region have been fighting for their own beliefs and faith, not on behalf of Iran.

Commenting on the recent developments in Syria, the supreme leader said Syria was "thrown into chaos" by groups backed by "(certain) foreign governments," exploiting Syria's "internal weaknesses."

He denounced Israeli occupation in Syrian territories, saying he expected resistance from "zealous and brave Syrian youths" against Israeli advances.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov. 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days. Iran has long been viewed as a staunch supporter of the Assad government. ■