Russia stance on Assad suggests divergence with Iran

A senior Iranian general has hinted at a growing rift with Russia over the future of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president.

Tehran and Moscow have both increased military support to Damascus in recent months, shoring up the regime’s western heartlands after armed opposition groups pushed towards them.

But on Tuesday, the head of Iran’s elite revolutionary guards suggested the superpowers disagreed over their end game.

“The northern friend who came to Syria to provide military support recently [did so to serve] its interests,” said Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari. He added that Moscow “may not care if Assad stays as we do”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11973660/Russia-stance-on-Assad-suggests-divergence-with-Iran.html